Ethical and integrity issues in Australian Sports - Report Example

Ethics Names. Institutional affiliation. Monday 13th October, ausport.com- Ethical and integrity issues in Australian sports. The Australian Sports Commission (ASS) just released the annual report on ethical and integrity issues conducted in the Australian sports survey. It is funny to me, that the constitutional body mandated by the law to ensure a level playing ground to all the players is busy telling us the problems it is facing, rather than offering solutions. The incidence of this commission admits the prevalence of these vices, and solutions need to found to tame this vice (McNamee and others, 2010). Sometimes it is not always easy to comprehend why a large body like ASS with a 6-figure budget allocation cannot bring sanity to this sports field. They say that the report will help to strategize and curb the unethical behavior in the sporting industry. Doping prevalence is increasing day in, day out, in our prolific sporting industry. This is one of the most serious international offence that can bring down our sporting industry in minutes (Dunn et al., 2007). We have seen international athletes restricted from participating in the international and prestigious arena due to doping allegations (ausport.gov.com, 2014). Just consider our very own, all blacks rugby team which has been the epitome of the world rugby ranking for years. The international media have been very vocal about the increasing doping rates in our very own soil. I would not like to have an idea on the country possibility of all blacks being banned from the international arena. ASS is sleeping on its job, and we should not allow them, taint our good sporting reputation. How would it be without the best team in the rugby competitions in the last three decades if our team were banned? The sports oversight committee should formulate and curb this vice or otherwise we forget the good reputation that is in the sporting arena. Sports have brought much glory and respect to our country (Brukner and Khan, 2006).Few irresponsible ASS officials should not ruin this. Anti-doping department should style up and clear the air on this disturbing issue. Few international sports papers reported that the ASS anti-doping head was replaced in a non-procedural way. Reports also suggest that the doping tests have been transferred from the government-licensed chemist to a sham private hospital; not even a licensed chemist. If it is true then, we are digging a grave for our sporting industry. These mere politics in sports management is major reason why our performance in the recent Olympics and commonwealth games was below average performance for the last five decades. It is high time, that we rise to the occasion, and salvage the situation. AIS reports a range of unjust and ethical issues in the field of training. There are issues that are frequently seen and are retrogressive to our sporting industry. Verbal abuses, unacceptable coaching behaviors, unfriendly coaching tactics, officiating crisis, and spirit beyond the game approach (McNamee and others, 2010). The administration has been accused of ill management through incompetence, nepotism, selection processes, and procedures. Involvement of administration in these malpractices leaves one questioning who will tame this suicidal event. These will have an impact to our sporting industry in the future years, unless we rise to the occasion and object the vices. The challenges facing the Australian sports, shows the need to have radical changes in the sports management and oversight authorities to rebuild the earlier reputation and integrity of the sport. Surveillance, policing and punitive powers need to be enhanced to achieve this together with education, change in culture and community development (Jozsa et al., 1989, p. 14). These will not only help us regain this values, but also achieve the traditional role of sporting that was social and friendship cohesion. Sports promotes values such as the excellence, teamwork, participation hard work, and development. Maintaining the pluralism and balance in the sporting industry should be our challenge especially to the youth and talent development managers. Efficient Sport in all aspects should be achieved. This is a collective effort of all the stakeholders involved in the sporting industry including; the players, managers, talent developers, oversight authorities, and the community at large (Valls, 2000). ASS is taking a suicidal route to our sports industry, and the whole association does not have the guts to run our sports if these simple challenges are not addressed. Saturday 18th October, sciencepubco.com- Ethical issues in embryonic stem cell research. Stem cell biotechnology is one of the most intriguing and debated biotechnological issues in Australia and world at large. Stem cells are cells from an embryo during the first few weeks of life after successful fertilization (Beauchamp and Childress, 2001). The cells have a unique ability to perform different functions because at that early age; they are yet to undergo differentiation process that dictates which function the cells will form. The scientists have used this advantage in the medical field to cure diseases that are stubborn to eradicate through chemotherapy or reconstructive surgery. The research carries both fair shares of praise from a science world and criticism from conservatives from human right and religious points of views. Judging the benefits of this biotechnology advancement, the somatic gene therapy for genetic disorders and cultivation of organs for transplants cannot be downplayed (Denker, 2006, p. 14). Anyone can see the logic of this technology where we may no longer need blood transfusions to leukemia patients, have ready organs for transplants to the accidents victims and organ failures. The multipotency ability of these cells offers a great opportunity for scientific research. No matter how this biomedical research is perceived to be beneficial, the research overrides the basic human right to life and against our religious doctrines. The embryos are perceived to have the status of living human being. It is unethical to use God given life to reproduce organs and tissues for sale to benefit of a few individuals in the society. I think there is no point in the growth curve that differentiates an embryo and a grown up individual. Both of them, have equal rights and the grownups cannot claim that they are past the embryonic stage, otherwise they should show us the stage in life that divides the two (Denker, 2006, p. 14). The fundamental right of any individual is the right to life and make informed choices. However, this technology does not give the embryo a chance to make informed choices due to obvious reasons. The scientific society seems to have less value of the embryo. The society considers embryo as incomplete human’s beings of which, I feel it is quite unethical. Life is formed from the day of conception. It is equal no matter the age or stage of development, whether 1 minute old or 120 year old. It is unethical for one to think that ,one form of life is more important than the other on the basis of technology (Johnson, 1998). This thinking risks the life of embryos. On my view, I take this to be morally unacceptable and unethical. We should protect the life at all costs. Organ transplant is acceptable in the current society because all the parties are involved, and, the procedure is carried out in total consent of the donor and recipient. In the case of stem cells, biomedical engineers use the cellular ability to achieve their motive without the consent of the embryo (Sugarman, 2008, p. 17). We need to get this information clearly, on who gives them the right to invade living human cells without their consent. The embryos have a status of divine creations, the only giver of life is a supernatural force (God), and it is not our role to manipulate and destroy life in the name of trying to save others. Stem cell technology may desensitize the destruction of human life that is irreplaceable. The society and research partners may not uphold the value of human life enshrined in our religious teachings and our very own constitution (Hulse, 2002, p. 15). The society may tolerate the loss of life in the name of research, and this may allow other controversial practices. Media reported that a scientific research had been successful in America where an ape carried to term a human embryo. This technology may also lead to social oppression in a wide view of some members in the society, especially the women. Women may be subjected to synchronized and mass production of eggs to produce enough embryos for this course that undermines their personality in the society. To my opinion, women will be viewed as commercial producers of eggs and embryos. It is completely unethical to commercialize human beings a for any monetary gain. The science further requires manipulation of natural hormonal system to allow mass production of ova, which further oppresses the women’s body and dignity (Valls, 2000). It is a ripe time to seek an explanation and assurance from all the players, about this research, as a moral and ethical treatment of human life. Monday 20th, October, MJA journal- Childhood tetanus ethical issue in Australia. A few weeks ago, a case was presented to Women’s and Children Hospital in Australia. An infant was presented with an open wound for treatment. The wound was so contaminated, and the medical staff decided to have the patient admitted in hospital for regular checkups. Two days after the child was relished from the hospital, the wound had turned pyogenic and after 24 hours, the kid developed spasms and inability to open the mouth. The kid was diagnosed with Tetanus, a preventable disease. After through investigations, the child had not even received any vaccination as the parents had conscientious issue with the science behind immunizations. Clostridium tetani was isolated from the wound and the parent was advised to allow the child to be given immunization against tetanus, since Clostridium tetani does not confer immunity against tetanus; however, this fell on deaf ears (Goldwater et al., 2007, p. 13). The decision settled on the parent’s views, and the boy was not immunized. Tetanus remains a life threatening issue to unvaccinated individuals. Neonatal tetanus is also very common especially in developing world where unvaccinated mothers fail to pass passive immunity to the unborn children. These have raised ethical questions whether we can have preventable diseases threatening us in this 21st century (Miles, 2005). People have beliefs and perceptions based on culture and religion that have no scientific evidence. A certain religious sect does not believe in seeking hospital services or vaccinations, as they believe that only God has the power to heal, and no one opposes this belief. It is the same bible, that teaches us that faith without action is dead, and God gave man wisdom to make the world a better place to live. To me, it is unethical for anyone to deny doctors an opportunity to play their role in prevention and management of diseases (Hawkins, 2011, p. 14). The fact that vaccination is a choice, the decisions to any this service lies with the parents. According to the bible, parents are second to God. They should not undermine the health of their children because of baseless and ill-informed beliefs. Despite, believing that parents have the role to make choices for their children, we should enact laws that guarantees access to quality health care for all, and protect them from these ill-informed decisions. I am convinced that the medical health practitioners and ministry of health have failed in sensitizing the public on this issue. It is high time for the government to run sensitization campaigns aimed at educating the mothers and the public on the beneficial implications of these interventions. The government should demystify the science behind the vaccinations to the public to eradicate these ill-informed decisions about the whole thing. I have heard recent professionals study and opinion about presence of human chorionic gonadotropin in the tetanus vaccine. These allegations have caused backlash and resistance from the pubic who thinks there is a hidden agenda to control birth rates (Sherwin, 1992). These mysteries have added the speculations revolving around the tetanus vaccine and increase the resistance from the parents. I think the government should clear the air and table about the evidence to support against the human chorionic gonadotropin allegations. Private chemical analysts should be involved in the analysis of random samples to ascertain the truth. It is unethical and socially unacceptable for anyone to subject others to family planning without prior conscience. There is historical evidence that tetanus vaccine has been used to control birth rates in some countries, and I think our country is porous to such incidences. The government needs ethical checks and balances to avoid such incidences in our nation. Wednesday 1st October, Mettaboy BlogSpot- Ethical issues arising from Ebola hit West Africa. On 13th august 2014, Boston university special report discuss the progress made by the world to tame the deadly Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever that have so far killed more than 2300 Africans. Despite the risks involved by close association and traveling to this stricken area, medical doctors from all over the world have continued to travel to this area to help contain the situation. The questions arise why the personnel would risk the lives of their countrymen by traveling to areas with this disease confronting risks and political dilemma and the efforts that have been put to contain the epidemic. The reports outline serum known as ZMapp that was administering to two Americans who contracted the virus in their helping mission to West Africans (Calain, Fiore, Poncin, & Hurst, 2009, p. 19). The issues raised the questions of whether the researchers had good grounds to use the serum that is not meant for human use to treat the patients or if it is ethical to use any means available to salvage the situation. General rules can be exempted in case of emergencies if there are no any other mean to save the life. Some ethics maybe broken and the recommended procedure must be beneficial and not cause harm. These procedures must be done only in the consent of the patient including appreciation off the risks involved. Two of the American workers have already survived the virus after flying back to the U.S.A. (Calain, Fiore, Poncin, & Hurst, 2009, p. 20). Out of this, it seems that something is hidden. National Institute for Infectious Diseases should come out clearly and tell the world if a solution exists to this virus (Knight, 2008, p. 8). The superpower seems to have a solution to this epidemic, but I do not understand why they are not willing to assist our African brothers. The question is “Why would they hold such information that would salvage the health crises in the entire continent?” I have always felt that the so called powerhouse nations does not offer their full helping hands to the third world countries, to preserve their position in the global arena. If anyone, has the knowledge on how to combat and control Ebola and is not giving out this information. He is acting unethically, unacceptable, and this is one of unfortunate thing to do at such times when the world is joining hands to control this epidemic. I belief that we are all equal; be it in America or Africa, whites or blacks, Muslims or Christians. I presume, it is unethical for anyone to hold information that would save people's life. This is unacceptable and unethical. Findings reveal that there exists no approved treatment for Ebola, and this does not justify the use of drugs or regimens that are thought to have the potential to work and confer to immunity against EBOLA. However, any regimen prepared, and proved to have the potential can be used to save the public. For instance, voluntary use of American developed drugs in Africa can be justified, only after informed and voluntary ascent. To me, I am against the idea of using people as guinea pigs for scientific research and testing. The question that remain unanswered is Why American use trial vaccines in Africa and not their country. I think Americans should not deceive Africans but rather put in measures that are honestly meant to rescue Africa from Ebola crises. The former head of United Nations, Mr. Koffi Annan, recently argued that the world has sidelined the Ebola pandemic just because it occurrence is West Africa. I support his sentiments, since his international relations resume, and experience are unquestionable. The international response to this challenge has been slow precipitating questions on the negligence of Africa by the world. If this happened in Eurasia or America, it is my view that the world would have come to a standstill until the epidemic is under control. Tuesday 28th October, telegraph finance - Ethical banking: Cooperative Bank aims to take over Lloyds banking group. Forbes newspaper has reported that Cooperative Bank would acquire the Lloyds group, which has more than 630 branches. The CEO made it clear the intention of this new move is to see the bank control the banking industry in the region and to have a bank that is so boring and sustainable banking solutions to the customers. Cooperative bank seems to have an interesting school of thought on the ethics applicability to the banking industry (Green, 1989, p. 18). The CEO believes that having ethical, boring, and sustainable banking sector is a way to go to have a troubled banking sector. Ethical banking is a topic that have in the recent past sparked brought around debate on the “trust and ethics in finance” magazine and across the media. Trust in fiancé and banking is vital in that it creates a social capital for the bank and facilitates banking behavior in the institutions. Bad behaviors erode the trust, and people opt to use the law (Harvey, 1995, p. 17). Ethical practices restore faith in these institutions and trust across the entire sector. More transactions are governed by legal commitments known as contracts that are clumsy and expensive as they are negotiable. Ethical financial businesses do not limit financial agents, but it is a requirement that allows theses services to continue with their business. This recent acquisitions and merger in the banking industry of smaller banks by large multinational is unethical by reducing competition. I believe that the bank aims to grow its operations by acquiring competitors, and this is unhealthy and against the business practices. Sustainable banking is another concept that goes hand in hand with ethics in banking. As the banks look for ways to improve their sustainability in the industry, banks should also note that unless they realize and internalize micro-level, the banks will not enjoy a wide range of successful (Hosmer and Hosmer, 1987). My personal take on banking and other financial institutions should embrace healthy competition in the industry. The public trust that the bank is seeking in this outrageous ways it can still be acquired by quality banking services and responsible corporate services. References Beauchamp, T.L., Childress, J.F., 2001. Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford university press. Brukner, P., Khan, K., 2006. Clinical sports medicine. McGraw Hill. Calain, P., Fiore, N., Poncin, M., & Hurst, S. A. (2009). Research Ethics and International Epidemic Response: The Case of Ebola and Marburg Hemorrhagic Fevers. Public Health Ethics, 5(7), 18-21. Dunn, W.R., George, M.S., Churchill, L., Spindler, K.P., 2007. Ethics in sports medicine. Am. J. Sports Med. 35, 840–844. Denker, H. (2006). Potentiality of embryonic stem cells: an ethical problem even with alternative stem cell sources. Journal of Medical Ethics, 5(6), 14,17. Hosmer, L.T., Hosmer, L.R.T., 1987. The ethics of management. Irwin Homewood, IL. Hulse, J. H. (2002). Ethical issues in biotechnologies and international trade. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 6(5), 13, 17. Johnson, D.G., 1998. Computer ethics. DIANE Publishing Company. McNamee, M., others, 2010. The ethics of sports: a reader. Routledge, Taylor & Francis. Miles, S.H., 2005. The Hippocratic oath and the ethics of medicine. Oxford University Press. Sugarman, J. (2008). Human Stem Cell Ethics: Beyond the Embryo. Cell Stem Cell, 5(7), 16.18. Sherwin, S., 1992. No longer patient: Feminist ethics and health care. Cambridge Univ Press. Valls, A., 2000. Ethics in international affairs: Theories and cases. Rowman & Littlefield. Fraleigh, W. P. (1984). Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Sport: The Ethical Issue. Journal of The Philosophy of Sport, 12(7), 12.13. Goldwater, P. N., Braunack-Mayer, A. J., Henning, P. H., Gold, M. S., Donald, T. G., Jureidini, J. N., & Finlay, C. F. (2007). Childhood tetanus in Australia: ethical issues for a should-be-forgotten preventable disease. Vaccines world, 3(7), 13-17. Green, C. F. (1989). Business ethics in banking. Journal of Business Ethics, 5(4), 17-20. Harvey, B. (1995). Ethical banking: The case of the Cooperative bank. Journal of Business Ethics, 5(4), 16-19. Hawkins, R. (2011). One Pack = One Vaccine? = one global motherhood? A feminist analysis of ethical consumption. Gender Place and Culture, 5(7), 13-15. Jozsa, L., Kvist, M., Balint, B. J., Reffy, A., Jarvinen, M., Lehto, M., & Barzo, M. (1989). The role of recreational sport activity in Achilles tendon ruptures a clinical, path anatomical and sociological study of 292 cases. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 3(5), 14, 15. Knight, A. (2008). The the end for chimpanzee experiments? Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in Medicine, 9(3), 6-9. Read More

These mere politics in sports management is major reason why our performance in the recent Olympics and commonwealth games was below average performance for the last five decades. It is high time, that we rise to the occasion, and salvage the situation. AIS reports a range of unjust and ethical issues in the field of training. There are issues that are frequently seen and are retrogressive to our sporting industry. Verbal abuses, unacceptable coaching behaviors, unfriendly coaching tactics, officiating crisis, and spirit beyond the game approach (McNamee and others, 2010).

The administration has been accused of ill management through incompetence, nepotism, selection processes, and procedures. Involvement of administration in these malpractices leaves one questioning who will tame this suicidal event. These will have an impact to our sporting industry in the future years, unless we rise to the occasion and object the vices. The challenges facing the Australian sports, shows the need to have radical changes in the sports management and oversight authorities to rebuild the earlier reputation and integrity of the sport.

Surveillance, policing and punitive powers need to be enhanced to achieve this together with education, change in culture and community development (Jozsa et al., 1989, p. 14). These will not only help us regain this values, but also achieve the traditional role of sporting that was social and friendship cohesion. Sports promotes values such as the excellence, teamwork, participation hard work, and development. Maintaining the pluralism and balance in the sporting industry should be our challenge especially to the youth and talent development managers.

Efficient Sport in all aspects should be achieved. This is a collective effort of all the stakeholders involved in the sporting industry including; the players, managers, talent developers, oversight authorities, and the community at large (Valls, 2000). ASS is taking a suicidal route to our sports industry, and the whole association does not have the guts to run our sports if these simple challenges are not addressed. Saturday 18th October, sciencepubco.com- Ethical issues in embryonic stem cell research.

Stem cell biotechnology is one of the most intriguing and debated biotechnological issues in Australia and world at large. Stem cells are cells from an embryo during the first few weeks of life after successful fertilization (Beauchamp and Childress, 2001). The cells have a unique ability to perform different functions because at that early age; they are yet to undergo differentiation process that dictates which function the cells will form. The scientists have used this advantage in the medical field to cure diseases that are stubborn to eradicate through chemotherapy or reconstructive surgery.

The research carries both fair shares of praise from a science world and criticism from conservatives from human right and religious points of views. Judging the benefits of this biotechnology advancement, the somatic gene therapy for genetic disorders and cultivation of organs for transplants cannot be downplayed (Denker, 2006, p. 14). Anyone can see the logic of this technology where we may no longer need blood transfusions to leukemia patients, have ready organs for transplants to the accidents victims and organ failures.

The multipotency ability of these cells offers a great opportunity for scientific research. No matter how this biomedical research is perceived to be beneficial, the research overrides the basic human right to life and against our religious doctrines. The embryos are perceived to have the status of living human being. It is unethical to use God given life to reproduce organs and tissues for sale to benefit of a few individuals in the society. I think there is no point in the growth curve that differentiates an embryo and a grown up individual.

Both of them, have equal rights and the grownups cannot claim that they are past the embryonic stage, otherwise they should show us the stage in life that divides the two (Denker, 2006, p. 14).

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