Ethical Considerations of Vaccine Trials

This assignment presents a case study about the use of a newly invented vaccine in West African countries struggling with a virus outbreak. The core ethical dilemma is whether to deploy this untested vaccine despite its potential benefits. Students are tasked with critically evaluating the risks and benefits, emphasizing the importance of thorough research, understanding side effects, and prioritizing human safety over potentially expedited solutions.

Running Head: DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
The role of managers in decision-making
Name of Student
Name of University
Name of Tutor
Date

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DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
Introduction
Good decision-making is significant to all areas of life. Reaching a decision brings
conclusions, enables change and helps make situations move on. However, sometimes it can turn
to be a hard work. Decisions always have very strong emotional attachments, or their impacts
can affect the needs and desires of certain people. These emotions and needs can sometimes
make a decision be hard to be achieved. However, a set of guidelines and procedure if followed
effectively can help arrive at a decision easily and effectively (Ferrell, 2016). To ensure proper
decision-making, an eight-step that can add an elaborate structure and simplification of the whole
process can be employed. Looking at the scenario in this context, the vaccine has not been tested
on a human being, and the side-effects are unknown, it means more research needs to be carried
out before it is subjected to a human being.
Discussion
In reference to the above scenario, a decision has to be made to ensure that the correct step is
taken. Although it is important that the virus is minimized in countries in West Africa, it is
indicated that this vaccine has not been proved to be effective on human beings. However, there
is a close link between human being and chimpanzees and the results have shown little or no side
effects on such animals when the vaccine is used on them. We are completely unsure of what it
can cause to human beings. In a follow-up process and before a decision on whether to allow the
vaccine to be introduced in Western countries, we have to make sure that there is a complete
research carried out for this vaccine. It would be extremely dangerous to subject this vaccine
onto human being as it may have fundamental side effects (Chisnall, 2012). Knowing every
operation, consequences, and impacts of the vaccine would give an opportunity to also know

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how to deal with any side effects that may come with its usage. The first step that involves the
identification of the problem is quite important in this scenario because it is the one that leads to
the realization that a decision needs to be made on this matter. However, if a problem is not
identified, it would be hard to comb through what is entailed in the whole matter.
In trying to understand what the vaccine is all about, relevant information is supposed to
be gathered by collecting relevant and pertinent information before a final information is arrived
at. It is important therefore to collect such information from relevant sources that will give a
complete understanding of the vaccine and its effects when it is used on a human being. This step
involves both internal and external procedures (Cadogan, 2009). Information gathered through
internal means involve doing internal assessment and self-assessment while some information is
external and can be found through external means such as online, in books, from other people, or
from other available sources. This information can be important means of arriving at a decision.
For the case at hand, the manager may need more information about this vaccine. Doing proper
and deep investigation to get to understand the way the vaccine works, its side effects, and how
to minimize these effects in case they occur.
The third step in decision-making is the procedure for identifying the alternatives. As
information is collected about the several concepts of the vaccine, other several possible paths of
action or alternatives need to be considered. It is also possible to use own imagination and
additional information to arrive at other alternatives. In this step, the manager should list all
possible alternatives that can be explored to reduce the effect of the virus in case this vaccine
fails to be used on human beings because of its side effects. It is important to note that in some
undertakings, there may be alternatives that could be explored instead of considering one
direction (Buttle, 2010). For instance, if in this scenario there are other ways of reducing the

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DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
effect of the virus without using a vaccine that its effects on human being have not been proved,
then the decision would be inclined on the alternatives that their history is properly known. It
would be unethical practice to allow the use of drugs whose history is not known properly
because it may cause effects that may be hard to deal with. Therefore, it would be important to
obtain complete and exhaustive information concerning the vaccine. It is indicated in the case
that the vaccine has shown positive results when used on chimpanzees with the same virus, but a
complete research is needed to be sure of the side effects it may have on humans.
It is important to now weigh the evidence that is there for the decision to be arrived at
about the vaccine. We can now draw on the information and emotions to imagine what it would
be if you carried out each of the alternatives. It is important to note that as we go through the
difficult internal process of choosing an alternative, we will begin to favor certain choices. These
are alternatives that seem to have a higher potential for reaching a goal. For instance, an
alternative vaccine that will be able to reduce the effect of the virus on the people would be
considered, this choice will be one which has known effects on human being. For this step,
finally, the alternatives are placed in a priority order, based on the own value system.
Consequently, in relation to step four, and once all the evidence have been weighed, a
choice is made about the alternative that seems to be the best one. Sometimes if viable
alternatives are many, then a decision can be made to consider all of them to be used. Managers
are therefore tasked with the responsibility of making accurate and proper decisions that would
ensure that the stakeholders’ needs are considered (Hopkins, 2013). It will be inconsistent and
quite unethical to allow an activity to take place and it is well known that it is inconsistent with
the laid down rules. A consequential step where we are required to take action is allowed when it
is now proper that a positive action needs to be taken by beginning to implement the alternative

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DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
that was chosen in step five. Therefore, it means that whoever makes the decision has finally
arrived at the best choice that will not only subject injuries to human life but also adored by the
majority.
The decision that was made about the weather to use or not to use the vaccine has to be
reviewed and its consequences checked. In this manner, we need to consider the results of the
decision and an evaluation is done whether or not it has resolved the need that it was intended for
or that was identified in step one (Doole, Lowe, & Kenyon, 2016). If it was intended to reduce
the impact of the virus in human being then it will have met the need, and if not then the decision
has to be revisited as fast as possible. For instance, we may need to gather more information as
we can or somewhat find different information or explore additional information.
Lastly, the solution needs to be validated against problem statement identified in step
one. This one would be a consequential step after the evaluation procedure has been done on a
preferred alternative. If the vaccine was allowed to be used despite the fact that its side effects
are unknown, then the solution should be checked to ensure that it truly solves the problem
identified in. The original problem is supposed to be compared with the statement of the goals
and requirements. It is important that a final solution fulfills the desired state, in this case, the
state of the virus in the country. It should meet the requirements and best achieve the goals
within the values of decision makers.
Although it is important that the virus is minimized in countries in West Africa, it is
indicated that this vaccine has not been proved to be effective on human beings. However, there
is a close link between human being and chimpanzees and the results have shown little or no side
effects on such animals when the vaccine is used on them. We are completely unsure of what it

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DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
can cause to human beings. In a follow-up process and before a decision on whether to allow the
vaccine to be introduced in Western countries, we have to make sure that there is a complete
research carried out for this vaccine. It would be extremely dangerous to subject this vaccine
onto human being as it may have fundamental side effects (Brooksbank, 2011). Knowing every
operation, consequences, and impacts of the vaccine would give an opportunity to also know
how to deal with any side effects that may come with its usage. The first step which involves the
identification of the problem is quite important in this scenario because it is the one that leads to
the realization that a decision needs to be made on this matter.
In trying to understand what the vaccine is all about, relevant information is supposed to
be gathered by collecting relevant and pertinent information before a final information is arrived
at. It is important therefore to collect such information from relevant sources that will give a
complete understanding of the vaccine and its effects when it is used on a human being. This step
involves both internal and external procedures. Information gathered through internal means
involve doing internal assessment and self-assessment while some information is external and
can be found through external means such as online, in books, from other people, or from other
available sources (Dobni, Dobni, & Luffman, 2001). This information can be important means of
arriving at a decision. For the case at hand, the manager may need more information about this
vaccine. Doing proper and deep investigation to get to understand the way the vaccine works, its
side effects, and how to minimize these effects in case they occur.
Conclusion
In the case shown, it would be wrong to allow the use of the vaccine in West African countries
because this is a form of the vaccine that has just been invented and has never been approved to

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DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
work friendly with a human being. Although the virus may have affected many people in these
countries, it is important first of all to ensure there is a complete research on the vaccine. This is
because the side effects may be dangerous than its benefits, or the side effects may not be easy to
deal with once it has been used on a human being. Therefore, it is important to get all the
possible research at hand before it is used. Certain factors need to be put into consideration to
ensure that this vaccine is properly understood, its consequences, and benefits as well.

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DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
References
Brooksbank, R. (2011). The Management Decision-making and Strategy.
Management Intelligence & Planning, 12(4), 10-14.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02634509410060695
Buttle, F. (2010). The management worksheet—A practical planning tool.
Long Range Planning, 18(4), 80-88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0024-6301(85)90088-3
Cadogan, J. (2009). Decision-making process. Los Angeles [u.a.]: Sage.
Chisnall, P. (2012). Influential decisions and plans: Systematic marketing management.
Long Range Planning, 13(1), 99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0024-6301(80)90070-9
Dobni, B., Dobni, D., & Luffman, G. (2001). Behavioral approaches to management
strategy implementation. Ethical Intelligence & Planning, 19(6), 400-408.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02634500110405405
Doole, I., Lowe, R., & Kenyon, A. (2016). International management principles.
Andover, Hampshire: Cengage Learning EMEA.
Ferrell, O. (2016). Management decisions. [S.l.]: Cengage Learning.
Hopkins, D. (2013). New emphasis in management principles and Ethics.

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Industrial Marketing Management, 6(6), 410-419. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0019-
8501(77)90003-7