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Case study
Stage One
Stage Two
Stage Three
Stage Four
Further Resources |
Ethics Toolkit Stage
One
Identify the problem
(or problems) and frame them as an ethical question
In tacking ethical problems,
the first thing we need to do is to identify what the ethical problem
is and develop a set of ethical questions to answer. We might also
have to stipulate any assumptions we have made.
When framing your question,
bear in mind that ethical questions concern how we should act in
response to a particular situation. We are not asking factual questions.
For example, most questions beginning with ‘should…’,
‘ought…’ or ‘must….’ make useful
ethical questions, whereas factual questions starting with ‘what…’
may be less ethically relevant, although facts in a particular scenario
will be relevant to the argument we eventually propose.
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Peter’s
case: if Peter carries the mutation, then the problem
will involve whether or not he should disclose his test result,
and if so, to whom.
At
least two ethical questions emerge:
- Should Peter inform his employer
of his HCM result?
- Should he inform his children
of their potential risk?
Can
you think of any other questions?
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Stage
Two
Identify the interests
and potential needs of the various parties
The next stage in ethical
analysis is to consider the various contextual features raised by
the case. Who are the parties involved? What are their interests
and needs likely to be? By viewing the problem from the perspective
of each person concerned, we will start to see the issues that will
be most important.
To do this, begin by considering
the various people linked to the hypothetical case.
Then, consider what their interests might be and what they might
want to happen. |
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Peter's
case: The parties to this case include:
- Peter
- Amita
- Their children
- Peter's employer, the airline
The parties' interests and
needs might include:
- Peter's interests might include looking after his health and
protecting his privacy. He and Amita may also desire for their
children to be tested, if he is shown to carry the mutation, as
they may want to reassess their family lifestyle.
- Amita's interests are likely to arise from her relationship
with her husband. Although presumably not at risk for this condition
herself, she would probably wish that Peter could retain control
over his genetic information. Prenatal diagnosis for HCM is currently
not offered so any future children will also be at risk of this
disease
- Their Children , as they grow up, may have an interest in knowing
of their genetic risk.
- Peter's employer might be interested in the result of Peter's
genetic test. If Peter were to suffer a heart attack whilst flying
a plane, what would be the result? Should public safety outweigh
Peter's privacy, even though Peter is currently healthy?
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It is at this stage that
conflicts between the interests of the various parties arise. For
example, there is a conflict in Peter's case between his right to
confidentiality over his genetic test result, and his employer's
interest (in protecting public safety) to demand his health information.
Continue
to Stage Three |
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