Explain ethical and professional issues

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Reference no: EM133698244

Professional Practice in Information Systems

Learning Outcome 1: Explain ethical and professional issues related to business information systems.

Learning Outcome 2: Compare, contrast and report on the behavior of IS professionals with those required by relevant codes of professional conduct.

Learning Outcome 3: Demonstrate an ability to use ethical theories to explain the causes of a problem or a dilemma.

Learning Outcome 4: Critically evaluate alternatives to create ethical and professional recommendations in an organisational setting.

Assessment Description

This assessment task assesses students' ability to apply theoretical learning to practical, real-world situations. The aim is to help students to understand the benefits of ethical values in their professional life

A team of 4 students should write this essay. Your essay should be a synthesis of ideas researched from a variety of sources and expressed in your own words. It should be written in clear English and be submitted at theend of week 4 in electronic format as either a Word document or a pdf file. This electronic file will be checked using Turnitin for any evidence of plagiarism. You are expected to use references in the normal APA referencing style.

Theranos Case Study

Question
Drawing on any of the ethical theories and/or ACS professional code of conduct, critically analyse the ethical issues surrounding the actions of Elizabeth Holmes and Ramesh Balwani. Your report should cover the health, economic, legal, and societal implications of Theranos' actions.

This is what ChatGPT produces on the question above:
The case of Theranos and its founders, Elizabeth Holmes and Ramesh Balwani, raises several ethical issues that can be analyzed using various ethical theories and the ACS (American Chemical Society) professional code of conduct. Here are some of the key ethical issues:

**Deception and False Claims**:
*Ethical Theories*: Virtue Ethics, Deontology, Consequentialism
*ACS Code of Conduct*: Integrity, Honesty, Accuracy

Theranos and its founders made false and misleading statements about the capabilities of their technology. They claimed to offer comprehensive blood tests from a small drop of blood, which was not substantiated by reliable evidence. This deception led to significant financial investments and put patients' health at risk.
**Patient Safety and Health Impact**:
*Ethical Theories*: Utilitarianism, Virtue Ethics
*ACS Code of Conduct*: Public Safety, Health and Environment, Responsibility to Society
The inaccurate blood tests conducted by Theranos could have serious implications for patient health. Misdiagnoses or delayed diagnoses can have life-threatening consequences. This jeopardizes the well-being and safety of individuals who relied on the test results for medical decisions.

**Financial and Economic Implications**:
*Ethical Theories*: Utilitarianism, Distributive Justice
*ACS Code of Conduct*: Financial Responsibility, Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
The false claims and misrepresentations made by Theranos led to massive financial investments from individuals, institutions, and pharmaceutical partners. These investments were made under false pretenses and resulted in substantial financial losses, impacting both individual investors and the broader financial community.

**Legal Violations and Accountability**:
*Ethical Theories*: Deontology, Virtue Ethics
*ACS Code of Conduct*: Compliance with Laws and Regulations, Professionalism

Theranos and its founders faced legal consequences for their fraudulent activities. They were charged with massive fraud by the SEC and indicted on criminal charges. This highlights the importance of adhering to legal and regulatory standards in conducting business and research.

**Societal Trust and Reputation**:
*Ethical Theories*: Virtue Ethics, Social Contract Theory
*ACS Code of Conduct*: Professionalism, Integrity, Honesty
The actions of Theranos and its founders eroded trust in the healthcare industry and the technology sector. This case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining trust, credibility, and integrity in professional endeavors.

**Responsibility to Stakeholders**:
*Ethical Theories*: Stakeholder Theory, Virtue Ethics
*ACS Code of Conduct*: Responsibility to Society, Honesty, Integrity
Theranos had a responsibility to its investors, employees, and the wider community. The false claims and subsequent legal actions had a detrimental impact on stakeholders who had placed trust and resources in the company.

In conclusion, the Theranos case is a stark reminder of the ethical responsibilities that individuals and organizations have in the fields of healthcare and technology. The actions of Elizabeth Holmes and Ramesh Balwani violated fundamental ethical principles, resulting in serious consequences for both individuals and society at large. It underscores the critical importance of transparency, integrity, and accountability in professional conduct.

Your task:
Please answer the question:
Drawing on any of the ethical theories and/or ACS professional code of conduct, critically analyse the ethical issues surrounding the actions of Elizabeth Holmes and Ramesh Balwani. Your report should cover the health, economic, legal, and societal implications of Theranos' actions.

Reference no: EM133698244

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