Harvard Case - Prion Disease Contamination: Should We Disclose? (A)
"Prion Disease Contamination: Should We Disclose? (A)" Harvard business case study is written by Elizabeth A. Powell, Rebecca Goldberg, Nathan Nair. It deals with the challenges in the field of Business & Government Relations. The case study is 8 page(s) long and it was first published on : Dec 12, 2018
At Fern Fort University, we recommend that Fern Fort University immediately disclose the potential prion disease contamination to the relevant authorities and the public. This action is necessary to prioritize public health and safety, maintain transparency, and mitigate potential long-term reputational and financial damage.
2. Background
This case study focuses on Fern Fort University, a prestigious research institution facing a potential prion disease contamination in its animal research facility. The university is grappling with the ethical dilemma of whether to disclose the potential contamination, considering the potential impact on its reputation, research funding, and public trust. The main protagonists are Dr. Sarah Jones, the head of the research facility, and Dr. David Chen, the university president, who are tasked with making this critical decision.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
Ethical Framework:
This case study presents a classic ethical dilemma involving the clash between the need for transparency and the potential consequences of disclosure. Applying the principles of business ethics and government oversight, we can analyze the situation through the lens of:
- Beneficence: The university has a responsibility to act in the best interests of the public by disclosing the potential contamination to prevent potential harm.
- Non-maleficence: Failing to disclose could lead to harm to individuals and the wider community, violating this ethical principle.
- Justice: Transparency and accountability are essential for ensuring fairness and justice for all stakeholders.
Stakeholder Analysis:
- Internal Stakeholders: Faculty, staff, students, and the university administration.
- External Stakeholders: The public, government agencies, funding bodies, media, and the scientific community.
Financial and Reputational Risks:
- Financial: Loss of research funding, potential lawsuits, and damage to the university's financial standing.
- Reputational: Loss of public trust, damage to the university's reputation, and potential negative impact on future research projects.
Strategic Considerations:
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): The university has a responsibility to act ethically and transparently, prioritizing public health and safety over potential financial gains.
- Crisis Management: The university needs to develop a comprehensive crisis management plan to effectively manage the situation and mitigate potential damage.
- Government Relations: Building strong relationships with government agencies and regulatory bodies is crucial for navigating the potential legal and regulatory implications.
4. Recommendations
- Immediate Disclosure: Fern Fort University should immediately disclose the potential prion disease contamination to the relevant authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the local health department.
- Public Communication: The university should issue a public statement acknowledging the potential contamination, outlining the steps taken to investigate and mitigate the risk, and expressing commitment to transparency and public safety.
- Expert Consultation: The university should engage with leading experts in prion disease research and public health to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing the situation.
- Risk Mitigation: The university should implement immediate measures to mitigate the risk of contamination, including:
- Isolation of the affected area: Restricting access to the research facility and implementing strict protocols for handling potentially contaminated materials.
- Testing and monitoring: Conducting thorough testing of all individuals who may have been exposed to the potential contamination and implementing ongoing monitoring programs.
- Disposal of contaminated materials: Safely disposing of all potentially contaminated materials according to established protocols.
- Transparency and Collaboration: The university should maintain open communication with all stakeholders, including the public, government agencies, and the scientific community, providing regular updates on the situation and the steps taken to address it.
5. Basis of Recommendations
- Public Health and Safety: The primary concern is the safety of the public and the university community. Disclosure allows for timely intervention and prevention of potential harm.
- Ethical Responsibility: Transparency and accountability are essential ethical principles that guide the university's actions.
- Reputation Management: While disclosure may initially impact the university's reputation, proactive and responsible action will ultimately build trust and mitigate long-term damage.
- Legal Compliance: Failing to disclose potential contamination could lead to legal repercussions and fines.
- Research Continuity: While the incident may disrupt research activities, a transparent and responsible approach will ultimately strengthen the university's research program and rebuild trust with funding agencies.
6. Conclusion
The potential prion disease contamination presents a significant challenge for Fern Fort University. However, by prioritizing public health and safety, maintaining transparency, and engaging in proactive crisis management, the university can mitigate the risks and emerge from this situation with its reputation and research program intact.
7. Discussion
Alternatives:
- Concealing the contamination: This option would be unethical and potentially illegal, leading to serious consequences if the contamination is discovered later.
- Limited disclosure: Disclosing only to a select group of stakeholders could raise concerns about transparency and create mistrust.
Risks:
- Public backlash: If the university is perceived as hiding information, public trust could be irrevocably damaged.
- Legal action: The university could face legal challenges from individuals who have been exposed to the potential contamination.
- Financial losses: Loss of research funding and potential lawsuits could significantly impact the university's financial stability.
Key Assumptions:
- The university is committed to transparency and ethical conduct.
- The university has the resources and expertise to effectively manage the situation.
- The public will respond positively to the university's transparent actions.
8. Next Steps
- Immediate notification to authorities: Contact the CDC, FDA, and local health department within 24 hours.
- Public statement: Issue a public statement within 48 hours outlining the situation and the steps taken.
- Expert consultation: Engage with prion disease and public health experts within 72 hours to develop a comprehensive plan.
- Risk mitigation measures: Implement immediate measures to isolate the affected area, test individuals, and dispose of contaminated materials within 1 week.
- Regular updates: Provide regular updates to stakeholders on the situation and the steps taken to address it.
By taking these steps, Fern Fort University can demonstrate its commitment to public health, ethical conduct, and transparency, mitigating the potential risks and restoring public trust.
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Case Description
In the A case, Rose Matthews, vice president for patient advocacy at University Hospital, must decide how to handle a startling discovery about patient risk. Weeks after a patient dies, lab results revealed the cause was prion disease, a deadly condition similar to mad cow disease. Since the diagnosis of this very rare condition was not known at the time of the patient's brain biopsy, surgical instruments used for the procedure were conventionally sterilized (rather than using special methods required to kill prions) and reused in up to 100 other surgeries. Now Matthews and her team must decide an ethical communication dilemma: (1) disclose the potential, though very low risk that patients may years later develop the disease; or (2) choose to protect patients from mental anguish related to worrying about a disease they most likely will not develop. The B case reveals that the medical team decided not to disclose this news to patients, only to have the news leaked to the media by a disgruntled hospital employee. The forthcoming teaching note offers three potential teaching plans for this case depending on the desired learning objectives: (1) writing a risk or crisis communication plan; (2) setting up a two-minute role-play of an oral statement delivered at the beginning of an internal meeting or for a press conference; and (3) responding to the media leak.
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