1. MUSC College of Graduate Studies
Retreat on the Responsible Conduct of Research
“Moral Reasoning”
Ed Krug
BioE room 101
12/04/2009

2. “Heinz and the Druggist”
Heinz’s wife is dying. A cure is available from a druggist in Heinz’s town. The druggist is the one who discovered the drug. However, the druggist charges much more for the drug than it costs him to make it, and much more than Heinz can afford to pay. Heinz can’t raise the money and the druggist will not agree to let him pay later.
MJ Bebeau et al. (1995). Moral Reasoning in Scientific Research: Cases for Teaching and Assessment.

3. Moral reasoning in ethical dilemmas
Issues or Points of Conflict
Describe the nature of the moral conflict
What are the situations in which the rights or obligations of interested parties are in conflict?
Who other than those directly presented in the conflict have an interest?
Often reveals hidden issues
Interested Parties
Consequences of Action
Identify those that have the highest probability of occurring or the greatest impact first
Often suggests several possible outcomes
Obligations
What are the responsibilities of each individual to other interested parties?
Are these grounded in moral considerations or are they a rationalization?
MJ Bebeau et al. (1995). Moral Reasoning in Scientific Research: Cases for Teaching and Assessment.

4. “Heinz and the Druggist”
Heinz’s wife is dying. A cure is available from a druggist in Heinz’s town. The druggist is the one who discovered the drug. However, the druggist charges much more for the drug than it costs him to make it, and much more than Heinz can afford to pay. Heinz can’t raise the money and the druggist will not agree to let him pay later.
MJ Bebeau et al. (1995). Moral Reasoning in Scientific Research: Cases for Teaching and Assessment.

5. “Heinz and the Druggist”
Heinz’s wife is dying.
A cure is available from a druggist in Heinz’s town.
The druggist is the one who discovered the drug.
However, the druggist charges much more for the drug than it costs him to make it, and much more than Heinz can afford to pay.
Heinz can’t raise the money and the druggist will not agree to let him pay later.
MJ Bebeau et al. (1995). Moral Reasoning in Scientific Research: Cases for Teaching and Assessment.

6. Lab Ethical Dilemma #2
A researcher, speaking at a conference, presents two sets of results based on two related datasets. He references a paper that he published recently, describing in great detail the first set of results based on the first dataset. This paper mentions the second dataset but does not discuss the results based on it. A colleague attending the conference asks for a copy of both datasets. The researcher is pleased to deliver the first set of data, but does not want to turn over the second until he has had time to prepare another paper, describing results based on that dataset, and had it accepted for publication. Is the researcher justified in withholding the second dataset until he has published his results?