ETHC 232 Week 1 Discussion

ETHC 232 Week 1 Discussion | Devry University

Week 1: Deontological Ethics

8787 unread replies.113113 replies.

Elizabeth Holmes was labeled the next Steve Jobs because at 19 she dropped out of Stanford University and founded a biotech startup Theranos, which was then called Real-Time Cures. Theranos promised that with just "a single finger prick," the blood analyzer could inexpensively detect a wide range of health conditions from cancer to diabetes. Holmes' charismatic stage presence captivated investors who helped her raise more than $700 million. She was featured on magazine covers and was touted as the world's youngest self-made female billionaire. The only problem was that her Edison blood analyzer never actually worked. Tests were often inaccurate, thus leading to people being misdiagnosed by doctors.

In 2013, the company partnered with Walgreens. Theranos vastly exaggerated its revenues, telling investors that it would generate $100 million in 2014; the actual figure was barely $100,000. Holmes intimidated or fired potential whistle blowers inside the company, but was eventually exposed for faking data and lying to cover up the fraud. She had to pay fines to the Securities Exchange Commission, and now she faces criminal charges stemming from allegations that she and former Theranos president Sunny Balwani engaged in a scheme to defraud investors. In September 2018, her $9 billion company shut down. Holmes' fall from grace was chronicled by Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyou in the book Bad Blood (2018).

Let's apply Kant's categorical imperative to the case of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos. According to Kant's categorical imperative, people should never lie, steal, or physically harm others. Based on this case study, how would Kant evaluate Holmes' actions?

References

Carreyou, J. (2018). Bad blood: Secrets and lies in a Silicon Valley startup. Alfred A. Knopf.

This topic was locked Sep 4 at 11:59pm.