What is the nature of ATLs responsibility

1
What is the nature of ATLs responsibility

• Should sex selection be allowed? Apply the
  integrated ethical framework.
• Utilitarianism Is there another alternative
  that would create greater net benefits?
• Rights Is the following a moral rule, sex
  selection is prohibited, apply the Categorical
  Imperative
• Justice Evaluate sex selection practices.

2
Utilitarianism

• Identify the key stakeholders
• Who benefits from sex selection? Who loses?
• Are there other alternatives that exist which
  would provide greater net benefits to society?

3
Evaluating the Moral Rule

• Moral Rule Sex selection should be prohibited.
• Is it reversible? Is it a rule that could be
  applied universally?
• Rights involved, right to an abortion? Right to
  sell a legal product? Right to exist?
• Claimed vs. granted?

4
Justice

• Does everyone have an equal opportunity?
• Does sex selection make the least advantaged
  better off?
• What is fair for the very poor?
• Is the unrestricted sale of ultrasound equipment
  warranted to avoid the greater injustice of
  female infanticide?

5
Does ATL have a moral duty?

• Every firm is responsible for the end use of
  their product
• ATLs products can be directly linked to illegal
  activity
• Everyone has a duty to stop an illegal and
  morally condemned practice
• ATL is well positioned to take action
• ATL is responsible for the end use of its
  products
• No one (government, doctors) is accepting
  responsibility!

6
Arguments for not taking action

• It is the governments responsibility
• ATL is too small of a firm to have any impact on
  its Indian customers
• ATL cannot be held responsible for the actions of
  its customers
• Ultrasound products have many beneficial uses

7
Reducing the Likelihood That The Products Will Be
Used In Sex Selection

• ATL could keep records of everyone who purchased
  the product
• ATL could require the purchaser to notify the
  company if it sells the unit
• Could ask the purchaser to sign a pledge not to
  sell the equipment
• Could sell only high end products in India

8
Resolving the Problem

• Eliminate sales to Indian and Chinese customers
• Monitor the use of equipment after it is sold
• Make sure that its customers have a valid license
  to purchase the equipment
• Register the equipment
• Encourage an industry wide effort to reduce sex
  selection, infanticide
• Support orphanages
• Encourage industry wide efforts to develop
  programs for young girls

9
Developments

• ATL spun off its handheld product, called
  SonoSight
• GE was boycotted because of its nuclear weapons
  production
• However, European hospitals boycotted GE high end
  medical systems
• GE in 1996 unveiled the first ultrasound machine,
  developed and constructed in India, totally
  portable