...Is genetic engineering ethically right? Genetic engineering was first discovered in the 1970’s and since then ethical questions been raised regarding the process and results. Some people are excited by the possibilities of genetic engineering while others believe the process is unethical and should be banned as they claim scientists are ‘playing god’. Ethics is the philosophical study of what is morally right or wrong. It is a system of moral principles. They affect how people make decisions and lead their lives. Philosophers tend to divide ethical theories into three areas; meta-ethics, normative ethics and applied ethics. This was first done by David Hume the philosopher who argued how we should look at ethical situations. “Meta-ethics looks at the meaning of language used in ethics, and raises questions about truth. Normative ethics tries to find practical moral standards that we can all live our lives by. These are also called ethical theories. Applied ethics is the application of theories about whether something is right or wrong in specific issues.” Distance Learning Centre, Ethics Pack, 2012. In the 1960’s a professor, Joseph Fletcher founded the theory Situation Ethics. In Situation Ethics right and wrong depend on the situation. There are no universal moral rules or rights, each case is unique and deserves a unique solution. “Situation Ethics is all about agape or love. You should always do the most loving thing” Distance Learning Centre, Ethics Pack, 2012. There...
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...Essie Sullivan Dr. Cantrell Legal 500 Law, Ethics & Corporate Governance February 11, 2013 1. Determine at least three (3) different internal and external stakeholders that Dr. DoRight might have to deal with on a daily basis at the hospital. Hospital facilities are definitely significant in the well-being of patients and expertise of its medical staff personnel. However, Dr. DoRight has been hired as the President of the “Universal Human Care Hospital”, where he oversees all departments with over 5000 employees and over 20,000 patients at the medical facility. He has been given an enormous responsibility to ensure to its internal and external stakeholders that all departments function efficiently and patients’ care and health are essentials. Therefore, three internal stakeholders that Dr. DoRight might have to deal with on a daily basis are Board of Trustees (shareholders), Employees, and his Regional Director of Compliance Manager and Executive Committee. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from http://www.allfreepapers.com/Business/Corporate-Governance-Ethical-Responsibility/22558.html. Additionally, three external stakeholders that Dr. DoRight might have to deal with on a daily basis consist of Patients, Numerous Community Organizations--Corporations, Government, and Local Community/Society. Retrieved February 10, 2013 from http://www.chegg.com/homework-help/questions-and-answers/2-compare-contrast-potential-conflicts-exist-duties-loyalty-owed-internal-stakeholder-vs-e-q2569829...
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...Placing Value on Life: Is One More Valuable Than Another? Cheanel Nolden Introduction to Ethics & Social Responsibility SOC 120 Professor Elizabeth Tinch August 15, 2013 A woman lies in the hospital in labor in January 2007. After more than twenty hours, the doctor and several nurses come in to speak to the woman’s family. Her blood pressure is very high, and she is at risk of having a dry birth. All of this is further complicated by the fact that the baby has a hole in his heart, and has lungs that have not developed properly. The doctor speaks to the woman’s grandmother. She wants to know, in the event of a C-section that could go awry, which patient should be saved – the twenty-four year old mother, or her still unseen baby boy. The grandmother speaks with no hesitation, stating that everything possible should be done to save her granddaughter, meaning that the child could die. Through her tears, the mother begs for just the opposite, pleading for her child’s life to be saved, even if it is at the expense of her own. From her hospital bed, she tries her best to change her grandmother’s mind. Her grandmother firmly maintains that the woman may have other children in the future, and that if she dies today, the grandmother would possibly be left to raise a young child in her old age, and that child may have a disability. Her blood pressure continues to rise as she is overcome with fear and hurt at the prospect of losing this child that she has...
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...Paper Alfreepha Williams AJS/532 July 21, 2013 Patricia DeAngelis Torture and Ethics There are many views or definition of the word “torture”, which is often debated by many individuals. According to “International Rehabilitation Council For Torture Victims” (2005-2012), “torture is an act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining information or a confession, punishing him for an act committed” (para. 2). “Torture is anguish of body or mind; something that causes agony or pain; the infliction of intense pain (from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure; or distortion or over refinement of a meaning or an argument” (“Torture,” 2013). There are debates about torture and whether or not is unethical or a cruel and unusual punishment. People have been taught to believe that torturing a person is unacceptable and inhumane. However, the torturing of an enemy to get answers is not considered cruel and inhumane especially, when it involves saving the lives of many. This paper will analyze whether torturing enemy combatants or high-value targets violates standards of morality in an American free society. It will also examine whether the act of torture violates basic human rights and if it could have global implications, and last determine if torture may be justified under ontological, deontological, utilitarianism, or the natural law theory. Torture and...
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...Terrorism and Ethics PHI208 Rebecca Wilson January 24, 2015 Terrorism and Ethics Since the beginning of time, humans have fought one another to establish power. More specifically, Americans have been involved in many wars over the years. Some of these wars have been about nothing more than a power trip, but more recently there has been an ongoing war against terrorism. When thinking of a war and the violence that comes along with it, it seems as though all measures should be taken to prevent such a tragic resolution. When those measures are not successful, or an attack is made on an opposing country, war is usually inevitable, especially when there is terrorism involved. The question arises: Is war on terrorism ethical and just? Using the utilitarian and deontologist theories, I will demonstrate how war on terrorism is in fact justified. Utilitarianism is the theory that the consequences of an action determine the morality of the act; it is also focused on an outcome that appeases the majority (Mosser, 2013). For example, if my children both like pepperoni only on their pizza, and we are a family of three, it would make the most sense to order a pepperoni pizza rather than a deluxe since the pepperoni appeases both children. Since utility is based on consequences, this scenario works because while I enjoy deluxe pizza and it would please me, my children are the majority and pepperoni isn’t bad at all. When applying this ethical theory to the topic of war on terrorism...
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...Industry" Write summarized their investigation of the motivation and experiences of health care industry whistleblowers focusing on the False Claims Acts. Dr. Do Right's legal responsibility would fall under this category since he knowing is allowing patients to be killed with the false pretense that the deaths are due to causes not associated with the hospital. The External Stakeholders conflicts of interest would exist only if the stakeholders were aware of the ethical, civil, and fraud taking place in a company to which they are doing business with. Further, the external stakeholders could very well be some of the suppliers that are providing supplies and materials that could contribute to the negligence associated with the deaths. Question 3: Dr. Do Right has not fulfilled his ethical duty by reporting the illegal procedures. First thought deals with Virtue Ethics: Habits of Goodness Page 20 - Chapter One. The textbook quotes "Virtue ethics, directs our attention...
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...what exactly goes into your Burger King burgers? Burger King consumers in Britain and Ireland got informed first hand that equine off-cuts had permeated Burger King’s beef patties and the news of Burger Kings equine meat slip up hit the news in late January 2013. The Burger King Corporation apologizes to its consumers that they have not been able to provide 100 percent beef patties after testing suggested that the patties contained a mixture of beef and equine offcuts. The fast food chain, who had been denying this issue for weeks, has more than 500 UK outlets, and had earlier given a series of ‘absolute assurances’ that its products were not involved (Daily Mail). With the equine meat permeating the beef market it has raised food security questions, even though the Ireland Food and Safety Authority does not view this as a food safety issue and neither does Burger King, but Burger King has stated that it may mean that some of their products will be temporarily unavailable. Burger King’s consumers have started to speculate if Burger King doesn’t care about its consumers and instead is only interested in securing a profit. This issue threatens to destroy the trust of Burger King and its consumers. It also raises serious questions about whether the food company has any good idea about what goes into its products. It has been questioned if Burger King had orchestrated a series of cover ups that would link them to the equine scandal to allow them time to find an alternate supplier...
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...Nova Southeastern University Wayne Huizenga Graduate School Of Business & Entrepreneurship Assignment for Course: MGT 5015 Legal, Ethical, and Social Values of Business Submitted to: Dr. Frank J. Cavico, J.D. LL.M Submitted by: James Jones N01456933 Date of Submission: March 12, 2013 Title of Assignment: Integrating Values – The Legality, Morality and Social Responsibility of, “Is it moral for the University of Notre Dame to pay their college football players?” CERTIFICATION OF AUTHORSHIP: I certify that I am the author of this paper and that any assistance I received in its preparation is fully acknowledged and disclosed in the paper. I have also cited any sources from which I used this data, ideas of words, whether quoted directly or paraphrased. I also certify that this paper was prepared by me specifically for this course. Student Signature: Jill Burgess *************************************************************** Instructor’s Grade on Assignment: Instructor’s Comments: Table of Contents Introduction Many students who are currently active players for their university's football team are struggling to make ends meet. They simply don't have the funds to buy new clothes, tools for education, or even food not supplied by the university. To make matters worse, the NCAA has created policies restricting players from pursuing avenues of being compensated for services...
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...PHIL320 Professor Christopher Myers July 27, 2013 History of the Utilitarianism Ethic The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number America lavish with a plethora of landscapes and ecosystems beyond our understanding. Truly, North America sustains some of the most opulent sights. However, our lands were not always so lush, and full of beauty. A complex history of dreams, ideas, and political affiliations came into play in the overall conservation and preservation of our landscapes. Many ethically driven environmental doctrines came into effect, to be where we are today, as a nation of conservation. Within this compendious paper, I will go into the history of some of the founding fathers of the utilitarianism concept. And how historically, this concept has shaped our nations conservation system today, and in particular shape the U.S. Forest Service. “Where conflicting interest must be reconciled, the question shall always be answered from the standpoint of the greatest good of the greatest number in the long run.” Gifford Pinchot North America metamorphosed into a leading influence on the fortitude of its natural resources. As the nation broadened from sea to sea, these resources seemed boundless. For the European settlers to North America, the “greater good” meant clearing the land. The trees were an encumbrance, and the timber was treasured. Before the times of the Napoleonic Wars (1800s), our nation’s economy thrived upon timber. Horses drew wooden carriages over...
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...Boy Scouts allowing gays 2-7-2012 Boy scouts of America will be celebrated its 103rd birthday 2-8-2013. About 2 months ago while I was watching the news on KARE 11 one of the headlines was that the “Boy Scouts of America are considering allowing Gays in the organization”. On 2-6-13 I read a news article published by Miranda Leitsinger, a staff writer for NBC news states “Boy Scouts: We need more time for decision on gay membership”. This was brought before the Supreme Court in 2000 and they ruled in their favor stating that this was legal free speech by a private organization and thus did not have to allow gays to join. I wonder if it was a sense of shame and conscience that brought about the statement in January. As society in a whole our views have changed about limiting people to organizations based on their sex, sexual orientation, color or ethnicity. With the recent articles about being gay and bullied coming out over the last year it doesn’t look good that the Boy Scouts sill up hold such unethical policy of discrimination. The solution that was put in place by the Boy Scouts after they had released to the press that they were going to consider allowing gays in Scouting was followed by poll for people for or against allowing gays. This is a Utilitarianism theory on the boy scouts part as they were looking for the public to make up their mind for them and be able to blame others. The Boy Scouts of America have Absolut phobia and should develop...
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...Karris Moses Professor Armstrong Law, Ethics and Corporate Governance Assignment 3: Corporate Governance and Ethical Responsibility Research Paper February 17, 2013 Karris Moses Prof. Armstrong LEG 500 February 17, 2013 Dr. DoRight has recently been hired as the President of the “Universal Human Care Hospital”, where he oversees all departments with over 5,000 employees and over 20,000 patients at the medical facility. He has been provided with a broad set of duties and oversight of numerous departments, including business development, customer services, human resources, legal, patient advocacy, to name a few. He has managers in each department that he supervises and who work with him to address the needs of the various internal and external stakeholders of the hospital. Dr. DoRight discovers that some patients within the hospital have been dying as a result of a variety of illegal procedures by doctors and nurses, and negligent supervision and oversight on their part. This was brought to his attention in a few meetings and he told his Regional Director Compliance Manager and Executive Committee in January 2009. He was told by them that the matter would be investigated and they would report any findings to him as soon as possible. After two (2) years, there have been no results from the investigation and some patients are still passing away due to the negligent activities. He also answers to a board of trustees and interfaces with numerous community organizations...
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...Reflective Paper Ethical Treatment of Prisoners Johni K. Anglin SOC 120 Cornell Horn January 28, 2013 Ethical Treatment of Prisoners Societies Forgotten One may ask."What represents ethical treatment of prisoners?" What's more, does it make a difference as to what the prisoners crime is as to what kind of treatment would be considered ethical? For example, should a terrorist be treated differently than a thief? Additionally, who is to decide what kind of treatment of prisoners, regardless of crime, is ethical and what is not? What standard determines ethical versus unethical? Who really concerns themselves which such questions? Is ethical treatment of prisoners related to profitability in our country?"It is argued that Plato was right in claiming that justice is more profitable, more rational, and more intrinsically valuable than injustice (Velasquez 1996). Certainly mistreatment of the least among us is injustice. If so then the question may then become, "What is justice?" To be sure, it seems that there may well be more questions regarding the ethics surrounding treatment of prisoners than solid answers. For these reasons, it is necessary that the ethical treatment of prisoners be examined. I submit that we, as a society, are only as good as the treatment that we mete out to the lowest of our population. Do certain sectors of society like having a "prison-class" of criminals so that perhaps their transgressions against society may go unnoticed In order to successfully...
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...Famine, Affluence, and Morality Terry Simmons PHI 208 Instructor: Stephen Carter January 28, 2013 Famine, Affluence, and Morality Peter Singer opens his argument by introducing the reader to a famine in Bengal setting up his first premise stating “suffering and death from lack of food, shelter, and medical care are bad”. (Singer, 1972) Singer elaborates to say this is merely one point of view and that some “people can hold all sorts of eccentric positions, and perhaps from some of them it would not follow that death by starvation is in itself bad.” (Singer, 1972) He continues to say that for this discussion it will be assumed all accept the above argument. The next argument continues with “If it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it” (Singer, 1972). Singer gives an example of what this would entail, “if I am walking past a shallow pond and see a child drowning in it, I ought to wade in and pull the child out. This will mean getting my clothes muddy, but this is insignificant, while the death of the child would presumably be a very bad thing.” (Singer, 1972) He then points out that there are flaws in our way of thinking (Singer, 1972). The socially acceptable standard is that we would offer help to one who is physically near us, simply because of the close proximity. The flaw lies in the fact that we are less motivated to help someone who is further...
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...Seminar 5 First Draft – Physician Assisted Suicide INTRODUCTION In my term paper I am going to be answering the question is Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS) ethically justified? The debate on Physician-Assisted Suicide has been a topic of debate for many years. Born and raised in Michigan I remember all of the news on Dr. Jack Kevorkian assisting terminally ill patients in their death and the controversy on it. The dilemma is whether or not a physician should be allowed to assist a person in ending their life even if they are terminally ill. According to a recent article on The New York Times website, New Mexico just legalized Physician-Assisted Suicide for terminally ill patients. This ruling would make New Mexico the fifth state to allow physicians to prescribe to their terminally ill patients a fatal dose of medications to end their life (Eckholm, 2014). Proponents of Physician-Assisted Suicide believe that terminally ill people should have the right to choose go to the doctors and ask for their help to end their lives and stop their suffering. Of course there would have to be certain steps taken to make sure they were making the right choice. Many supporters of Physician-Assisted Suicide believe that there should be some psychiatric evaluation to make sure that the patient is of a sound mind in their decision to end their life. Opponents of Physician-Assisted Suicide believe that a person does not have a right to end their own life and that it goes against...
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...Abstract Employment At-Will and Medical Marijuana use are two issues merging together in today’s society as state laws are becoming more reciprocal to medical marijuana users. Research has found that many users find marijuana to be a great therapeutic alternative when traditional therapeutic drugs start to become ineffective. The issue of employers having the legal right to fire employees who are registered medical marijuana users when testing positive during drug test makes employees feel helpless. This paper explores the legal, ethical, and social responsibilities that companies have in today’s society in regard to the use of medical marijuana. At Will Employment and Medical Marijuana: Analyses based on Legal, Ethical and Social Responsibility There is controversy over the rising issue of employment at-will and medical marijuana off company property. There are 22 states that allow the use of medical marijuana, but these states’ medical marijuana laws do not explicitly provide protection status to patients. Should this be legal and is it worth it for the organization to continue this practice? This paper will discuss the issue of “zero-tolerance” drug policies in organizations located in states that allow the legal use of medical marijuana, and the issues that arise will be analyzed and broken down into the “3 value” analysis of the law, ethics, and social responsibility. According to a report done by CNN there is a case concerning a Michigan man named Joseph Casias...
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