Discussion Case Studies – Week 7 / Module 7
Macrina: Case Study 10.1
In the case of Dr. Oliver Dickerson and the speculation of his aggressive style in pressuring trainees and
condoning questionable scientific conduct and demanding trainees to electronically modifying digital
radiographs1 I feel this is a situation that needs to be investigated. As a research integrity officer, it’s important
that I investigate any possible misconduct, even if there’s no direct allegation being bought forth. Rumors can
even justify an investigation especially when they surround the reasons of a postdoctoral trainee leaving the
program. In the case what heightens the situation is Dr. Sarkar asking questions about her colleague Dr.
Dickerson and her feelings towards the possibility of finding blatant falsification of his data if it were compared
to the actual lab results.1 With all the speculation surrounding Dr. Dickerson’s lab I feel that is enough reason to
open an internal case to see what is going on without ruffling any feathers until there is concrete evidence of the
misconduct. In the process of gathering evidence, I don’t find that it would be alarming to request the data
books of the research due to the record keeping policies that are in place to ensure the integrity of the research
data. I would compare the data books with the results published by the lab and see if there are any discrepancies
and from there, I would follow the record keeping guidelines if there is any misconduct found. If there is
concrete evidence found, then I would call a meeting to hear Dr. Dickerson side of the story and to gain
understanding as to why did he felt the need to falsify data for his research. We are reminded in Proverbs 10:9 –
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.”2 I’m a firm
believer that there is always a warning before destruction so the fact that Dr. Dickerson had trainees leaving and
going to other universities to finish out their postdoc work and there were rumors of him pressuring students
and condoning certain misconducts to get results, if that was not evident enough for him to clean up his act then
whatever the consequences Dr. Dickerson would face, he would be deserving of.
In the world of research when there are results collected using proper protocols in the correct manner to holds
the value and the integrity of the data collected. When authentic data is collected it’s a true representation of the
results of work and the observation that follows it.1 What Dr. Dickerson is allegedly doing would put him in a
position to violate the scientific integrity of the data research. The fact that Dr. Dickerson research is sponsored
research it’s essential that he is diligent in complying with all agency and institutional requirements concerning
data custody and storage, removal, and duplication, and disposal.1 One thing I know from being a child of God
is when we fall short and our ego’s get the best of us there are times that God’s grace will cover us which will
create the space for God to punish us privately instead of publicly. But when we ignore the warning signs
because we may carry the mindset of “I won’t get caught” that’s when destruction can set in and ruin lives,
careers, and reputations. In Proverbs 16:18 it says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a
fall.”2
References:
1.Macrina, F. L. (2014). Scientific integrity: Text and cases in responsible conduct of research. American
society for microbiology.
2.Hengeveld, N. (1993) Bible Gateway. New Gospel Communication Network. Retrieved from:
https://www.biblegateway.com/
Wagner – Chapter (4) Case Study
1.I believe fetal genetic testing is more controversial than adult genetic testing simply because it allows
parents to decide if they want to carry the baby to full term or terminate the pregnancy due to a chronic
or terminal condition that resulted from the genetic testing. Authors Boyle and Savulescu don’t feel
prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation genetic diagnosis are unethical.1 They also feel that it’s unethical
for parents to be forced to base their decision off what is normal vs abnormal as it’s defined from what
society says.1 I can understand that stance of not basing your decision on what society think however,
there must be line drawn that just because a child will be born with a deformity, or a certain condition
should not grounds to terminate a pregnancy just because the defect of the baby doesn’t fit into the
parent’s picture-perfect life. Hensley on the other hand feels fetus genetic testing strips away the welfare
and rights of an unborn child and considers it as designing babies for parental use or satisfaction.1 I don’t
find it unethical to have a genetic test done to let the parents know what they could be up against if their
unborn child did have some health challenges they would be facing once they are born into this world.
However, parents’ that choose to use the genetic test to determine if they want to carry a baby full term
or not due to an illness, I feel are parents’ stepping into the role of play God1 and that was another
dilemma Hensley faced in his discord with fetal genetic testing. In Great Britain they feel the fetal
genetic testing turns a person into an instrument and therefore considers fetal genetic testing as
unethical.1 Great Britain also feels human life would be created for the purpose of benefiting others
instead of themselves which is also the opinion of another author Immanuel Kant that was mentioned in
this week’s text. Kant says, “that human beings should always be treated as themselves and not as the
means for another person to attain his or her ends.”1
Macrina: Case Study 10.3
Joshua’s overall intention were good and when Dr. Fang questions him about the altered analysis the fact that
Joshua had a good and reasonable explanation it showed that he felt he was going about the situation from an
ethical standpoint. Joshua’s concern with someone taking his data of information he has not been able to fully
research was his reasoning of altering his graph. Dr. Fang outline Joshua’s flawed reasoning even though it was
under great intentions and showed him a more ethical way to go about it. If they came to me, I would agree with
Dr. Fang that Joshua’s should not include that part of the data analysis altogether that way he doesn’t have to
explain why he altered the image.1 In this case he can speak to the data that is presented on the graph versus the
data that was removed. Electronically cropping the gel analysis graph doesn’t do any harm to the authenticity of
the data because it will allow Joshua to maintain the validity of his original gel analysis and still be able to
present the other data he removed later. In Proverbs 11:14 it says, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but
victory is won through many advisers.”2 So, with Joshua having an ear to listen and seek counsel is exactly what
we as children of God must learn to do and live out through the word of God.
References:
1.Macrina, F. L. (2014). Scientific integrity: Text and cases in responsible conduct of research. American
society for microbiology.
2.Hengeveld, N. (1993) Bible Gateway. New Gospel Communication Network. Retrieved from:
https://www.biblegateway.com/
Insurance
Workplace
2.
Type
Immigration
Pro’s
Preventing certain people from
entering the country that could be
carrying a deadly disease or virus
that could easily spread to
citizens.
By knowing whether a prospect
or member will be a health risk
or not will allow the insurance to
cut the cost for those that are
healthy and increase the cost for
those that are susceptible to
chronic conditions such as those
that smoke cigarettes.1 These
were the thought of author
Manson and Conko.
Authors MacDonald and Jones
feels it would allow employers to
reduce cost associated with
occupational disease if they are
able to detect those that would be
susceptible to workplace toxins.
They feel what keeps this aspect
of things ethical is if the
employer provides the testing for
free and it’s reliable, specific,
confidential, and doesn’t target
certain population groups.1
Con’s
Preventing someone from a better
life for themselves and family
due to not being able to pass the
health test of genetic testing.
Prevents them from receiving the
health care they need for a
chronic condition they may have
where they can’t get the proper
treatment in their own country.
Author O’Neil feels employers
will use genetic test results in an
unethical way. O’Neil doesn’t
seem that there is any ethical
reason that justifies genetic
testing for prospective or current
employees. Employers could
possibly use the results from
genetic testing to select
employees that can withstand a
hazardous workplace and
possibly reduce pension cost.
O’Neil also argues that genetic
testing is not able to confirm the
workers that could be sick or
possibly disable.1
I feel employers using genetic
testing to determine peoples
employment is unethical because
that could put millions of people
without a job. Those jobs provide
the healthcare that is needed for
employees to get the care they
need to stay healthy to continue
to work.
Courts have denied the use of
genetic testing in the workplace.
The National Council on
Disability (NCD) feel that there
is already discrimination against
asymptomatic people based on
genetic testing is implemented by
health and life insurance
companies, blood banks,
adoption agencies, military
schools etc.1
In the end it prevents people from
getting the care they need or even
furthering their career goals. The
NCD feels new legislation needs
to be implemented to add more
protection to prevent the
discrimination against certain
populations.1
References:
1.Wagner, V. (2008). Biomedical ethics. Greenhaven Press.
Is genetic testing ethical?
I don’t find that genetic testing is an unethical practice simply because it allows doctors to identify if an unborn
baby would have any severe onset diseases. This type of testing will allow future parents to make conscious
decision about their pregnancy if the genetic testing result show that the baby will be born with a terminal
illness. By doctors knowing this information in advance they can provide parents with options on whether to carry
the baby to full term. I feel that’s where some people find the difference in opinion of feeling like genetic testing is
unethical because it can come across as people trying to play God and determine whether a pregnancy should be
carried out full term or terminated. Parents’ knowing in advance what they are up against doesn’t necessarily
mean they will terminate the pregnancy it could allow them to prepare to deal with what to comes in having a baby
that is born disease stricken. It would also give the doctor’s the opportunity provide additional prenatal care to the
baby prior to the baby being born to increase the chances of the baby living a long healthy life. Genetic testing in
adults can also be beneficial to see if they are carriers of certain diseases and conditions that could possible be
passed on to offspring or could be an indication of future health problems they could be facing. For instance, a
female that chooses to get genetic testing done could see if she is a carrier of BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 which are the
genes for breast cancer and ovarian cancer. By knowing this in advance it will allow a female to get a consult from
an oncologist to see if the result from the genetic testing is something that she would need to be concerned about
and if that is a gene that could be passed on to her offspring if she chooses to have a baby. Before we as children of
God make any plans on whether we would do genetic testing or not we should learn to “Commit to the Lord
whatever we do, and He will establish our plans.”2
How does this relate specifically to neo-eugenics?
With neo-eugenics that where I feel the ethical aspects of things gets fuzzy because neo-eugenics allows future
parents to determine certain character traits for their unborn child. Personally, I feel this is where things start to
venture into the lane of trying to define God. Neo-eugenics is an indirect way of telling God the way He creates His
children and the unique characteristics He gives to each child is defective, as if there’s something wrong
with the way God designs us. We must be careful that we don’t try to influence imperfect perfection on an unborn
child because no one will ever be perfect. When the culture we live in today starts to choose certain character
traits over others that’s when we start putting emphases on the wrong aspects of life. We should be focused on
God’s purpose for our lives and who we are designed to be in God. In Colossian 1:17 we are reminded that, “He is
before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”2 So, in the end God will always have the final say regardless
of how hard man tries to dictate their wants and desires when it comes to an unborn child.
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References:
1.Caplan, A. L., McGee, G., & Magnus, D. (1999). What is immoral about eugenics?. BMJ (Clinical
research ed.). Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.319.7220.1284
2.Hengeveld, N. (1993) Bible Gateway. New Gospel Communication Network. Retrieved from:
https://www.biblegateway.com/
Is surrogacy ethical?
I personally don’t find an ethical issues with surrogacy however, there are certain facets of surrogacy that can
create an ethical issue at both ends of the spectrum. Some of the concerns surrounding surrogacy includes
vulnerable women being exploited by the rich and indirectly being looked at as a breeder instead of a human
being and there’s the issues of making children out to be commodities instead of the blessing from God that
they are. People that view surrogacy as being unethical have argued it being like “womb rental” and compared it
to prostitution since they are renting someone’s womb for something they desire and want.1 Being a surrogate
come with a significant amount of health and psychological risks.1 People that choose this route because of their
selfish ways of not wanting to take their bodies through the stress of carrying a child should consider seeking
God and coming to terms with the beauty and blessing of being able to carry a baby full term. On the flip side
surrogacy has been an answered prayer for so many women that deal with infertility, miscarriages, or that are
Is sex-selection ethical?
Sex – selection it not necessarily unethical if you don’t believe in God being the creator of everything.
However, because of what I believe I find this to be unethical in the eyes of God. For people that feel they have
the right to be in control of sex-selection they are putting themselves in the position to play the role of God.
Since God is the creator of all living things in Jeremiah 1:5 it says, - “Before I formed you in your mother’s
womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”1 That
scripture alone tells us, God is very strategic in how He creates us, and I find there’s so much joy in reaching the
12-week mark of the pregnancy and finding out the sex of the baby. I believe all parents that leaves sole control
in the hands of the God looks forward to the appointment when they find out the sex of their baby. There are
some ethical concerns about selecting a baby’s gender that include destruction of embryos, societal imbalance,
gender devaluation where it can be assumed that one gender is valued over another, designer babies which
implies certain characteristics are better than others, and it can also cause adult-onset diseases.2 I feel when
parent’s get to the point they want control in sex-selection they have lost sight of God and the perfect design He
has set out for his children.
References:
1.Hengeveld, N. (1993) Bible Gateway. New Gospel Communication Network. Retrieved from:
https://www.biblegateway.com/
2.Eftekhaari, T. E., Nejatizadeh, A. A., Rajaei, M., Soleimanian, S., Fallahi, S., Ghaffarzadegan, R., &
Mahmoudi, F. (2015). Ethical considerations in sex selection. Journal of education and health
promotion. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.4103/2277-9531.157184
survivors of certain chronic conditions that prevented them from carry a baby. Those women that are willing to
carry a baby for another woman who medically cannot carry a baby full term, makes surrogacy an open-door
blessing that for many would of have been a closed door without this willing and selfless act. We have to
remember that God will always open the door that seem closed if we diligently seek Him. In Isaiah 41:10 it
says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismay, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will
uphold you with my righteous right hand.2 This scripture is a reminder that when things seem impossible God
will give us a ram in the bush to answer the prayers that almost seemed hopeless.
References:
1.Saxena, P., Mishra, A., & Malik, S. (2012). Surrogacy: ethical and legal issues. Indian journal of
community medicine : official publication of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine.
Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-0218.103466
2.Hengeveld, N. (1993) Bible Gateway. New Gospel Communication Network. Retrieved from:
https://www.biblegateway.com/
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