Case Study 5 Dow Corning
Dow Corning Silicone Breast Implants
Albert Tapia
Dr. Robert Vega
BUAD 5304 Ethics
July 5th 2015
Dow Corning Dow Corning Corporation was a start up venture between Dow Chemical Company and Corning Inc. in 1943. The goal of Dow Corning Corporation was to create and market a new material, silicone. The joint venture proved successful, with nearly 10,000 employees and revenues upwards of $2 billion, it accomplished this goal with the collaboration of Dow Chemical and Corning, both interested in increasing profits from the new venture. Although scientists at DCC had backed their product and believed the silicone gel breast implants were safe for humans. DCC perhaps succumbed to competitive pressures, and did not pay attention to some employees’ complaints about safety issues. It was found in a state jury in Louisiana that “Dow Chemical Company had knowingly deceived women by hiding information about the health risks of silicone used in breast implants” (MEIER, 1997) The Dow Corning ethics audit program did not reveal any concerns about the silicone-gel breast implant line because of their lack of scientific knowledge concerning these products. John Swanson a permanent member of Dow Corning’s Business Conduct Committee played an important role in shaping and maintaining the company’s outstanding well regarded ethical policy. (Gorman, 2012) Swanson saw ethical issues in the scientific testing the company had conducted, yet management felt if the science department said the product was safe, that was the end of the discussion. Also the silicone breast implant was created in response to a surgeon’s need, and the company was following an expanding market, And saw a great opportunity to make an enormous profit. The critical factors necessary to make such an ethics audit program work effectively are that Dow Corning’s policy committed the company to total honesty and integrity, and this policy was reinforced by the Business Conduct Committee a system of checks and
Albert Tapia
Dr. Robert Vega
BUAD 5304 Ethics
July 5th 2015
Dow Corning Dow Corning Corporation was a start up venture between Dow Chemical Company and Corning Inc. in 1943. The goal of Dow Corning Corporation was to create and market a new material, silicone. The joint venture proved successful, with nearly 10,000 employees and revenues upwards of $2 billion, it accomplished this goal with the collaboration of Dow Chemical and Corning, both interested in increasing profits from the new venture. Although scientists at DCC had backed their product and believed the silicone gel breast implants were safe for humans. DCC perhaps succumbed to competitive pressures, and did not pay attention to some employees’ complaints about safety issues. It was found in a state jury in Louisiana that “Dow Chemical Company had knowingly deceived women by hiding information about the health risks of silicone used in breast implants” (MEIER, 1997) The Dow Corning ethics audit program did not reveal any concerns about the silicone-gel breast implant line because of their lack of scientific knowledge concerning these products. John Swanson a permanent member of Dow Corning’s Business Conduct Committee played an important role in shaping and maintaining the company’s outstanding well regarded ethical policy. (Gorman, 2012) Swanson saw ethical issues in the scientific testing the company had conducted, yet management felt if the science department said the product was safe, that was the end of the discussion. Also the silicone breast implant was created in response to a surgeon’s need, and the company was following an expanding market, And saw a great opportunity to make an enormous profit. The critical factors necessary to make such an ethics audit program work effectively are that Dow Corning’s policy committed the company to total honesty and integrity, and this policy was reinforced by the Business Conduct Committee a system of checks and
References: Byrne, J. A. (1992). The Best Laid Ethics Programs. New york: Bloomberg business. Gorman, M. E. (2012). Transforming Nature: Ethics, Invention and Discovery. Springer Science & Business Media. Mckenzie, R. (1992, marxh 20). Dow cancels implant line. Financial Post. MEIER, B. (1997, august 19). Dow Chemical Deceived Women On Breast Implants, Jury Decides. The New York Time.