Page 60 - Case Lab Case Analysis

Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental

factors. Its diagnosis is usually based on the pattern of symptoms, response to

therapy over time and spirometry. It is clinically classified according to the frequency

of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory

flow rate.

The occurrence of asthma has increased significantly since the 1970s. In 2011, 235-

300 million people globally were diagnosed with asthma, and it caused 250,000

deaths

Michael Blackthorn

Michael Blackthorn, the CEO of Phissons, plc., has been confronted with a problem

which threatens the future of his company. He has little time to solve it and has

asked you to help him.

Reviewing the situation you write out your checklist of actions:

– Recognize the moral/ethical dilemma
– Get the facts
– Identify the options
– Test each option: Is it legal? Is it right? Is it beneficial?
– Decide which option to follow
– Double-check decision by asking “spotlight” questions:
• “How would I feel if my family found out about
my decision?”
• “How would I feel about this if my decision were
in the local news?”
– Take action

The first three actions were undertaken and you jot down the following notes, factors

and views elicited from interviews with the other board members. The fourth action is

more problematic but the board members generally expressed some opinion.