European Commission Letter: Volkswagen Emission Scandal Analysis

This assignment presents a letter written by a software programmer at Volkswagen to the European Commission, addressing the ethical dilemma arising from the company's emission scandal. The letter details the programmer's concerns about being forced to create software that manipulates emission tests, violating the Clean Air Act and the NSPE code of ethics. The programmer expresses worries about the potential harm to public health and the consequences of whistleblowing. The assignment requires the student to analyze the situation from the perspective of an engineer, considering the impact on the company, colleagues, and personal career. The letter format adheres to the assignment brief, which emphasizes discreetly explaining the situation and identifying an appropriate European authority. The reference to the NSPE Code of Ethics underscores the importance of professional integrity and the responsibility to report unethical practices. This assignment serves as a case study in ethical decision-making within the engineering field, providing insights into the complexities of balancing professional duties and personal values.

Running head: LETTER TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR VOLKSWAGEN
EMISSION SCANDAL
LETTER TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR VOLKSWAGEN EMISSION
SCANDAL
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Authors Note

1
LETTER TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR VOLKSWAGEN EMISSION
SCANDAL
Name of the Authority: EUROPEAN COMMISSION (https://ec.europa.eu/info/index_en)
European Commission is such an organization which deals with several matters which
includes complaints as well. Professional individuals, such as Advocates, Engineers, Doctors,
and Chartered Accountants have some moral responsibilities towards the society, and towards
the common individuals of the society. It is their responsibility to inform the appropriate
authority regarding any wrong which took or may take place within the organization where they
work. For this reason, being an Engineer of Software Programming of Volkswagen, I want to
address this letter to the European Commission [1].

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LETTER TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR VOLKSWAGEN EMISSION
SCANDAL
To
The Director,
European Commission. Date: 26/02/2020
Sub: Ethical dilemma regarding Volkswagen Emission Scandal.
Respected Sir,
With due respect, I want to inform you that, I am an engineer by profession and a
worker of the Volkswagen where I hold the position of a software programmer and I assigned
with a small team of programmers of VW engine control unit. This particular unit deals with the
intake of fuel as well as measuring the emission. However, recently the higher authority of the
organization forced me to create a new logic regarding the control of emission, but I think this is
very risky and as a professional person my ethics do not permit me to do this thing. Already, in
the year 2014, a problem arose regarding the same software mechanism which has been declared
as violative of the Clean Air Act by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The reason
behind it is that the software is mainly used to cheat the tests regarding emission and actually it
creates more nitrogen oxide pollutants in the US which caused respiratory problems. It affects
not only the workers of the VW but also affects the people of the US. I also aware of the fact that
if in near future, the anyone of the organization get any information regarding this letter, then my
career also will affect a lot and maybe the organization will terminate me. I feel that being an
ethical person and an engineer it is my duty to blow the whistle because this activity may affect
the safety, health, and welfare of the people of the US. As per the NSPECode of Ethics, it is also
my duty to inform the appropriate authority regarding any unlawful decision of my employer.

3
LETTER TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR VOLKSWAGEN EMISSION
SCANDAL
Lastly, it is my responsibility to maintain the highest standard of honesty and integrity. For this
reasons, I am writing this letter to you.
Hope, after receiving this letter you will take a proper action in order to save the society.
Thanking you, Yours sincerely,
Software Programmer
(Volkswagen).
Reference
[1]Georgiadou, Elli and K. Peter, "Proceedings International Symposium on Technology and
Society", Professional issues in software engineering curricula: case studies on ethical decision
making, pp. pp. 252-261, 2001. [Accessed 26 February 2020].