Chapter 9: Research Ethics

Mandatory Vaccination Case Description: A state mandates vaccines for a deadly disease, but a 30-year-old refuses, citing personal freedom, risking an outbreak. Ethical Question: Is the mandate ethical?

A. Yes, for public safety.
B. No, it violates autonomy.
C. Yes, if exemptions are allowed.
D. No, unless 100% effective.

Quarantine Enforcement Case Description: A 25-year-old with tuberculosis refuses quarantine, claiming it restricts his job. He’s contagious and endangers others. Ethical Question: Is forced quarantine ethical?

A. Yes, to protect others.
B. No, it limits freedom.
C. Yes, if compensated.
D. No, unless he consents.

Smoking Ban in Public Case Description: A city bans smoking in all public spaces, including parks, angering a 40-year-old smoker who argues it’s his right. Ethical Question: Is the ban ethical?

A. Yes, for public health.
B. No, it curbs liberty.
C. Yes, if alternatives exist.
D. No, unless harm is direct.

Obesity Tax on Sugary Drinks Case Description: A government taxes sugary drinks to curb obesity, raising costs for a 35-year-old low-income mother who relies on them. Ethical Question: Is the tax ethical?

A. Yes, to reduce obesity.
B. No, it burdens the poor.
C. Yes, if revenue aids health.
D. No, unless voluntary.

Contact Tracing Privacy Case Description: A health app tracks a 20-year-old’s contacts for COVID-19 without his consent, notifying others of exposure. Ethical Question: Is this tracking ethical?

A. Yes, for public good.
B. No, without consent.
C. Yes, if anonymized.
D. No, unless opt-in.

Fluoridation of Water Case Description: A town fluoridates water to prevent tooth decay, but a 50-year-old resident opposes it, claiming forced medication. Ethical Question: Is fluoridation ethical?

A. Yes, for community benefit.
B. No, it overrides choice.
C. Yes, if evidence-based.
D. No, unless optional.

Needle Exchange Programs Case Description: A city funds needle exchanges to reduce HIV among drug users, but a 60-year-old taxpayer objects, saying it enables addiction. Ethical Question: Is the program ethical?

A. Yes, it saves lives.
B. No, it promotes drug use.
C. Yes, if confidential.
D. No, unless mandatory rehab.

School Vaccination Requirement Case Description: A school requires vaccines for entry, but a 10-year-old’s parents refuse on religious grounds, risking herd immunity. Ethical Question: Is the requirement ethical?

A. Yes, for school safety.
B. No, it limits belief.
C. Yes, with exemptions.
D. No, unless all consent.

Public Health Surveillance Case Description: A government monitors citizens’ health data without consent to predict outbreaks, identifying a 45-year-old’s diabetes. Ethical Question: Is this surveillance ethical?

A. Yes, for prevention.
B. No, without permission.
C. Yes, if anonymized.
D. No, unless disclosed.

Resource Allocation in Outbreaks Case Description: During a flu outbreak, ventilators are given to younger patients over a 70-year-old, based on life years saved. Ethical Question: Is this allocation ethical?

A. Yes, it maximizes benefit.
B. No, it’s ageist.
C. Yes, if transparent.
D. No, unless equal need.

Mandatory Health Screenings Case Description: A company requires annual screenings for employees, firing a 30-year-old who refuses, citing privacy. Ethical Question: Is this mandate ethical?

A. Yes, for workplace safety.
B. No, it invades privacy.
C. Yes, if optional.
D. No, unless job-related.

Isolation of Asymptomatic Carriers Case Description: A 25-year-old tests positive for a virus but has no symptoms. Authorities isolate him against his will. Ethical Question: Is this isolation ethical?

A. Yes, to prevent spread.
B. No, he’s not sick.
C. Yes, if compensated.
D. No, unless symptomatic.

Junk Food Advertising Ban Case Description: A state bans junk food ads to kids, upsetting a 40-year-old marketer who loses income. Ethical Question: Is the ban ethical?

A. Yes, to protect kids.
B. No, it limits freedom.
C. Yes, if evidence-based.
D. No, unless voluntary.

Public Health vs. Economic Impact Case Description: A lockdown reduces disease spread but bankrupts a 50-year-old shop owner, causing distress. Ethical Question: Is the lockdown ethical?

A. Yes, health trumps economy.
B. No, it harms livelihoods.
C. Yes, if support is provided.
D. No, unless short-term.

Genetic Screening Mandates Case Description: A government screens newborns for genetic diseases without parental consent, identifying a treatable condition in a baby. Ethical Question: Is this screening ethical?

A. Yes, for child health.
B. No, without consent.
C. Yes, if treatable.
D. No, unless optional.

Alcohol Restrictions Case Description: A city limits alcohol sales to reduce violence, angering a 35-year-old bar owner who loses business. Ethical Question: Is this restriction ethical?

A. Yes, for public safety.
B. No, it curbs freedom.
C. Yes, if data supports it.
D. No, unless compensated.

Public Shaming for Non-Compliance Case Description: A health agency publicly names a 20-year-old who broke quarantine, deterring others but humiliating him. Ethical Question: Is this shaming ethical?

A. Yes, to enforce rules.
B. No, it violates dignity.
C. Yes, if effective.
D. No, unless consented.

Rationing Preventive Care Case Description: A clinic prioritizes flu shots for the elderly over a 30-year-old worker during a shortage. Ethical Question: Is this rationing ethical?

A. Yes, elderly are vulnerable.
B. No, it’s unfair.
C. Yes, if risk-based.
D. No, unless equal need.

Environmental Health Regulations Case Description: A factory is shut down for pollution, saving lives but costing a 45-year-old worker his job. Ethical Question: Is the shutdown ethical?

A. Yes, for health.
B. No, it harms workers.
C. Yes, if jobs are replaced.
D. No, unless minimal impact.

Mandatory Reporting of STDs Case Description: A 25-year-old’s STD is reported to health authorities without his consent, notifying partners. Ethical Question: Is this reporting ethical?

A. Yes, to protect others.
B. No, it breaches privacy.
C. Yes, if anonymized.
D. No, unless he agrees.

Public Health Campaigns Case Description: A campaign exaggerates a disease’s risk to scare a 40-year-old into vaccinating, though it’s rare. Ethical Question: Is this campaign ethical?

A. Yes, to encourage action.
B. No, it’s dishonest.
C. Yes, if effective.
D. No, unless accurate.

Eviction Bans During Pandemics Case Description: A state bans evictions to reduce homelessness, forcing a 60-year-old landlord to lose income. Ethical Question: Is the ban ethical?

A. Yes, for public health.
B. No, it harms landlords.
C. Yes, if compensated.
D. No, unless voluntary.

Travel Restrictions Case Description: A country bans travel from a region with a disease, stranding a 30-year-old student abroad. Ethical Question: Is the restriction ethical?

A. Yes, to limit spread.
B. No, it restricts freedom.
C. Yes, if temporary.
D. No, unless all agree.

Public Health vs. Religious Practice Case Description: A church holds large gatherings during a pandemic, defying a 50-person limit, citing faith. Ethical Question: Should this be allowed?

A. Yes, for religious liberty.
B. No, for public safety.
C. Yes, if distanced.
D. No, unless exempt.

Food Safety Regulations Case Description: A new rule bans a popular street food due to contamination risks, upsetting a 35-year-old vendor. Ethical Question: Is the ban ethical?

A. Yes, for safety.
B. No, it harms livelihoods.
C. Yes, if supported.
D. No, unless alternatives.

Mental Health Lockdowns Case Description: A lockdown reduces infections but worsens a 20-year-old’s depression, with no mental health support. Ethical Question: Is the lockdown ethical?

A. Yes, for physical health.
B. No, without mental care.
C. Yes, if short-term.
D. No, unless balanced.

Public Health Fines Case Description: A 40-year-old is fined for not wearing a mask in public, though he can’t afford it, during a mandate. Ethical Question: Is the fine ethical?

A. Yes, to enforce rules.
B. No, it burdens the poor.
C. Yes, if masks are free.
D. No, unless optional.

Rationing in Chronic Disease Case Description: A health system prioritizes acute care over a 60-year-old’s diabetes management during a crisis. Ethical Question: Is this rationing ethical?

A. Yes, for urgent need.
B. No, it neglects chronic care.
C. Yes, if temporary.
D. No, unless equal.

Public Health Education Case Description: A campaign targets a 25-year-old’s smoking with graphic images, causing him distress but prompting quitting. Ethical Question: Is this campaign ethical?

A. Yes, it saves lives.
B. No, it’s coercive.
C. Yes, if effective.
D. No, unless gentle.

Emergency Powers Abuse Case Description: A governor uses emergency powers to ban gatherings indefinitely, impacting a 50-year-old’s business, beyond disease control. Ethical Question: Is this use ethical?

A. Yes, for safety.
B. No, it overreaches.
C. Yes, if justified.
D. No, unless limited.