Ethical theory and principles case study
There have always been difficult choices to be made in the field of medicine. Sometime the only way to choose between two seemingly good choices is to use the rule of morals or ethics. Even then it can still be a difficult choice to make. In the case funds can only be used for one project, either the immunization of infants to prevent death from rotavirus or vaccinate the elderly and immuno suppressed in America to protect against death from the flu. I would choose the project for the elderly and immuno suppressed individuals in America.
My choice can be supported by the utilitarian theory that states that “the choice that yields the greatest benefit to the most people is the choice that is ethically correct” (Rainbow, 2002). According to this theory similar situations can be compared and the one choice which is most beneficial to the most number of people will be chosen. Accordingly for me, the vaccine to be used for the flu has been tried and is considered safe unlike that to be used for Rotavirus. The vaccine could end up harming the children as it is still in its early stages of discovery.
Another factor would be that in addition the project for the flu vaccine has been going on for some time. There is thus a reasonable expectation from those who have come to rely on it. Failing to offer it will only make their situation worse as this is something they count on. Those who do not have the flu vaccine are only a part of the population those who are unable to pay for it. It would be necessary then to first to make the health resources available to the marginalized group before attempting to engage in providing health resources internationally. As for the Rotavirus vaccine, there is no expectation yet from the citizens in the third world and the government there could continue with their current programs to eradicate the cases of diarrhea especially in educating mothers and those in charge of child care.
As a country, America has the responsibility to do what is good for its citizens. This would be in accordance to the ethical principle of beneficence. Although both projects appear good the determining factor would be the American people whose tax money is being used. For them the flu vaccine to those unable to afford it would be a good thing for its society. Thus the choice can be seen to fulfill the ethical principle of beneficence.
The choice for the flu vaccine also offers the least harm compared to the unknown side effects of the Rotavirus which is an important ethical principle. The principle of doing can be used even when the principle of beneficence is hard to attain. Thus doing least harm can go beyond doing good. In this case, it is not possible to discontinue the flu vaccine without having very reasonable grounds and an extenuating circumstance. Failure to offer the flu vaccine would led to difficult circumstances to a group of people who are already compromised that the elderly who may be prone to other ailments like pneumonia and those who are immuno suppressed and thus open to opportunistic ailments.
Beginning a trial project internationally does not also seem to fulfill the principle of justice. This is because the tax payers in America should benefit from their taxes with projects that are geared to improve their society. Although the Rotavirus project is desirable it must be weighted carefully against the interest of the American people. When extra funds are located it would be beneficial to consider beginning the Rotavirus project. However in this case the greatest justice for those involved would be to grant the flu vaccine to those in need in America.
If however, the number of children who could be saved would be much more than those who would be saved by the flu vaccine it would be a better choice to approve the Rotavirus project as it would offer much hope for the third world. However the choice is difficult and it is only through the use of ethical principles and the utilitarian theory would I arrive at my choice.
Reference
Rainbow, C. (2002). Descriptions of ethical theories and principles. Retrieved on 11th
November, 2010, from http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/kabernd/indep/ carainbow/Theories.htm
