For Kim Woods Only, Click The Link Above To Submit Your Assi

For Kim Woods Onlyclick The Link Above To Submit Your Assignmentstude

Read the case study titled “GE Healthcare (B): A CSR Dilemma” located in the XanEdu case pack. Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you:

• Determine two (2) specific ethical issues that General Electric (GE) Healthcare faced when implementing its strategy to introduce low-cost diagnostic equipment to developing countries.
• Recommend two (2) actions that GE can take to resolve these ethical issues.
• Analyze the concepts of professional and applied ethics and determine whether GE Healthcare breached these concepts in developing its low-cost diagnostic medical equipment. Provide one (1) specific example to support your rationale.
• Determine whether GE Healthcare has any responsibility in addressing the issue of a preference for male children in cultures where its diagnostic ultrasound products are sold. Recommend one (1) strategy that would help GE balance its responsibility for continued growth with ethical or moral concerns related to the use of its equipment in controlling birth rates of male children in such cultures.

Your paper must follow these formatting requirements: typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman font size 12, with one-inch margins on all sides. Include a cover page with the assignment title, student’s name, professor’s name, course title, and date. The cover page and references are not included in the page count. Ensure citations and references follow APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

In the contemporary globalized healthcare environment, multinational companies like General Electric (GE) Healthcare face complex ethical dilemmas when expanding their products into developing countries. The case study “GE Healthcare (B): A CSR Dilemma” highlights several ethical issues arising from GE's implementation strategies, particularly concerning low-cost medical diagnostics. This essay identifies two key ethical issues, proposes actions to address them, examines the ethical principles involved, and discusses GE's responsibility regarding cultural practices such as gender preference bias in the use of ultrasound technology.

Ethical Issues Faced by GE Healthcare

The first ethical issue pertains to the potential for diagnostic equipment designed for low-cost delivery to be misused or to cause unintended harm. For instance, the provision of ultrasound devices in countries with deep-rooted gender biases might lead to increased female infanticide or sex-selective abortions, thereby exacerbating gender imbalances. The ethical dilemma lies in balancing the company’s goal of improving healthcare access with the risk of perpetuating cultural practices that are ethically questionable in many societies (Hoffman & Provan, 2018). The second issue concerns transparency and informed consent. In diverse cultural settings, patients might not receive adequate information about their health conditions or the implications of diagnostic procedures, raising concerns over patient autonomy and informed decision-making (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019). The ethical challenge for GE is ensuring that their technology is used responsibly and that cultural sensitivities do not override ethical standards.

Actions to Address Ethical Issues

To mitigate these concerns, GE could implement strict guidelines and training programs emphasizing ethical use of their diagnostic tools, especially in regions with gender biases. For example, instituting a global ethical code of conduct that explicitly condemns the use of ultrasound technology for sex discrimination and supporting local healthcare providers with ethical training could serve as a preventative measure. Additionally, GE can enforce contractual agreements that restrict the sale and deployment of ultrasound equipment in areas known for gender-based discrimination, aligning their business practices with human rights principles (Crane et al., 2014). These actions demonstrate a proactive stance in preventing misuse and reinforcing ethical standards worldwide.

Professional and Applied Ethics in GE’s Strategy

Professional ethics involve adherence to standards that guide practitioners’ conduct within a profession, emphasizing duties such as beneficence, non-maleficence, and respect for autonomy (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019). Applied ethics extend these principles to real-world issues like corporate social responsibility. In developing low-cost diagnostic tools, GE faced the risk of violating these principles, especially if the technology was used to reinforce harmful cultural practices like gender discrimination. For example, the sale of ultrasound devices that enabled sex determination services, despite knowing their potential misuse, indicates a breach of ethical commitments to promote health and respect human rights (Valentino & Chandler, 2016). GE's failure to prevent these ethically questionable uses suggests a lapse in both professional and applied ethics, driven perhaps by the pursuit of market expansion over moral responsibility.

GE’s Responsibility Regarding Gender Preference Issues

GE Healthcare bears a moral responsibility to ensure its products are not used to justify unethical practices such as gender-based selection. Given its global presence and influence, the company should assume a stewardship role in advocating for gender equality and human rights. A viable strategy involves collaborating with local governments, NGOs, and healthcare providers to establish ethical guidelines and monitoring mechanisms aimed at curbing sex-selective practices (Kudom, 2017). For example, GE could develop awareness campaigns that highlight the importance of gender equality and integrate ethical training into their distribution processes. This approach would help balance the company's commercial interests with social responsibility, fostering sustainable growth rooted in respect for human rights.

Conclusion

Faced with complex ethical dilemmas, GE Healthcare must navigate the delicate intersection of business interests and moral responsibilities. Identifying ethical issues such as potential misuse of diagnostic equipment and lack of informed consent is crucial. The implementation of strict ethical guidelines, collaborations with local stakeholders, and a commitment to human rights can help the company address these dilemmas responsibly. By acknowledging its role in combating gender discrimination and promoting ethical use of its products, GE Healthcare can uphold its corporate social responsibility while pursuing strategic growth. Ultimately, integrating ethical considerations into global health initiatives not only protects vulnerable populations but also enhances the company’s reputation and long-term sustainability.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of biomedical ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Crane, A., Matten, D., & Spence, L. J. (2014). Corporate social responsibility: Researching the future of ethics and sustainability. Journal of Business Ethics, 122(4), 657-674.
• Hoffman, W. M., & Provan, K. G. (2018). Ethical issues in global health. Journal of Public Health Policy, 39(4), 410-423.
• Kudom, A. (2017). Corporate responsibility and healthcare innovation in Africa. African Journal of Business Ethics, 11(2), 45-58.
• Valentino, L., & Chandler, C. (2016). Ethics and technology transfer in global health. Global Bioethics, 27(1), 34-46.