Question

what is the ethical issue in this case

CASE CASE 14.1 Blood for Sale William H. Shaw and Vincent Barry Sol Levin was a successful stockbroker in Tampa, able market for safe and uncontaminated blood and with some colleagues, founded Plasma Interna tional. Not everybody is willing to make money by selling his or her own blood, and in the beginning Plasma International bought blood from people addicted to wine. Although innovative marketing increased Plasma International's sales dramati- cally, several cases of hepatitis were reported in re- cipients. The company then began looking for new sources of blood Plasma International searched worldwide and with the advice of a qualified team of medical con- sultants, did extensive testing. Eventually they found that the blood profiles of several rural West African tribes made them ideal prospective donors. After negotiations with the local government, Plasma In- ternational signed an agreement with several tribal chieftains to purchase blood. Business went smoothly and profitably for Plasma International until a Tampa paper charged that Plasma was purchasing blood for as little as fifteen cents a pint and then reselling it to hospitals in the From William H. Shaw and Vincent Barry, Moral Issues in Business, 5th ed. (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1996).

Answer 1

Some of the ethical or moral issues portrayed in the case, blood which should be available to those who need it with no charge or obligation and donor gain no preference over non-donors. It is mentioned as a commodity which should be sold with the price. It actually discourages the voluntary donors. Thus, it is like a belief in disinterested and selfless concern for the advantage of the others in the society. It shows “cultural relativism” when no culture is superior when the belief is equally important . Therefore, the ethics in the given case depends on the moral relativism , right or wrong completely based on the need of the blood or considering donors or non-donors, etc.