Abstract
The subject of my paper will be an investigation into the manufacture of silicone breast implants by Dow Corning and what caused this scandal to become corporate crime. This subject is of special interest to me because my mother has been in litigation with Dow Corning since the late 1980's. I will use several research methods for development of this research paper. They will include researching books and the use of the internet. I believe that my findings will show that for more than thirty years Dow Corning manufactured and distributed an unsafe product with the knowledge that its recipients were being put in danger. Dow Corning then tried various evasive measures to escape from their liability. This is still a current
…show more content…
The first use of silicone was as a sealant for ignition systems on aircraft in World War II (Zimmermann, 1998, p. 22). It was in Japan after World War II that a Japanese doctor first began injecting women's breasts with silicone to enlarge them. Women often complained of serious complications after silicone injections including scarring, swelling, gangrene, infections and migrations of silicone to various other parts of their body (Zimmermann, 1998, p. 23).
The beginning of Dow Corning`s fraudulent and immoral actions actually started during this time when actual silicone breast implants had not even been developed and only the injection of silicone into women's breasts was being done. In 1954, Dow Corning found that silica in silicone had a high order of toxicity and they were informed by scientist H.C. Spenser that silicone caused health problems and by scientist V.K. Rowe in 1955 that silicone spreads throughout the body and could cause organ damage (Melvin, 2003). One can see that Dow Corning knew as early as the mid-1950's that silicone could be a source of health problems and potentially unsafe, but even with that knowledge Dow Corning moved in the next stage of silicone enhancement of breasts, the actual manufacture of silicone breast implants.
In the 1960's
Biomaterials, whether from natural or synthetic origin, have been used for many biomedical applications ranging from surgery to drug delivery (1). Of particular interest is the use of silicone products for breast implants, which are medical prostheses serving to augment or reconstruct breasts (1). To date, silicone is one of the most commonly used materials for plastic surgery procedures in North America (1, 2). The first silicone breast implants were developed in 1961 and were available for use by 1962. At that time, there was limited awareness on the safety and efficacy of silicone in breast implants, but this view changed when attention was drawn to repeated reports involving adverse reactions after implantation (1, 3-5). This led to a moratorium on silicone breast implants in 1992 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (5). After extensive research, the majority of results concluded that there were no major harmful effects associated with silicone products. In 2006, FDA approved the use of silicone products in breast implants, which currently leaves silicone as the only available material for this purpose (3, 5, 6). Since that time, there has been controversy around the nature and associated complications related to silicone products in breast implants (1, 2, 5). This is reflected by the current body of literature, and seems to result from a lack of consistency in the methodologies used to determine the mechanisms underlying silicone transport, uptake,
ABC Manufacturing Inc was a small family owned business whose financial condition was not very good. Company had to suffer more than $400,000 financial loss due to Mary Jane's emblezzment. However, fines charges for taking investors wrong way, creditor losses and the refusal of companies to extend credit to the business in the future all adds to a severe financial loss for the business. Company faces a continuing problem of public trust in the company; its public image may be ruined. In this fraud employees might be troubling and embarrassing situation for the people who work there .Especially like a
I agree with the statement that Anne Kingston makes, “we may look askance at British parliament ignoring the demands to outlaw the manufacture of arsenical products until the end of the 19th century, despite known toxicity, but we’re not that further advanced” (p.5). I agree because when I go out or go to the mall there are many time that I see things and I cannot believe that someone will wear this. I will give examples of many of woman’s clothing, spanx and high heel shoes that I see my sisters wear and also see in the mall girls are wearing shoes and my friends wearing spanx.
My question for the Leslie Fay Companies case focuses on the actions of Paul Polishan and the effect his self-established tyranny over the financial information of the Leslie Fay Companies would have on the auditing process. Paul Polishan, a 1969 accounting graduate, was hired by the Leslie Fay Companies right out of college. The Leslie Fay Companies made women 's clothing, particularly focusing on
This is evident when looking at the history of animal testing in cosmetics, beginning in the 1930s. As perceptions of ideological beauty changed and people became more concerned with their appearance they moved away from religious values of modesty and embraced their sexuality and sexual freedoms. This newly found female empowerment led to an increase in the production of cosmetics and personal care items, meaning new products were being cultivated and placed on the market quickly and efficiently thus companies found it in their best interests to use cheaper and more accessible ingredients to meet increased demand. This cheaper alternative came in the form of coal tar, something which had been used for many years in the hairdressing industry with supposedly no adverse affects; though one would discover years later that numerous deaths had occurred as a result of the ingredient. One such product was ‘Lash Lure’, an American Mascara which contained two very dangerous ingredients; parephenylenediamine and an aniline (coal tar). The results for those who used the product were dire, presenting themselves in the form of Staphylococcus infections, blindness and even death. Images of the incidents were widely publicised thereby becoming promotional campaigns for activists who intended to inspire a change in the 1906 Food and
Some of the most tragic incidents noted in 1930 involved untested products, masses of women were blinded due to Lash Lure, a mascara containing a chemical which can burn the skin. One women had significantly severe burns which have caused infections that lead to her death. In addition, Elixir Sulfanilamide, a new medication for cough has caused the death of more than 100 people in 1937. (4) The two tragic incidents have caused the necessity for animal testing and accordingly, in 1938, the ‘U.S law has required animal safety testing of drugs and cosmetics’ (4) due to the consequences of untested products which have resulted in numerous, catastrophic
Dr. Sidney Wolfe, a senior adviser with the Public Citizen (consumer watchdog group)says they first petitioned the FDA in 1998 to ban powdered surgical latex gloves.
Find an article using the University Library or in the Electronic Reserve Readings that discusses unethical business research conduct that has resulted in individuals or a firm being convicted, or at least tried for, this conduct. Some examples include the following:
Animal testing has become an increasingly controversial issue since the 1980s. This has been the case especially in the cosmetics industry, where esthetic value rather than necessity is at the core of the industry. Since information regarding the often unnecessarily cruel practice of animal testing has become public knowledge, many activist groups have targeted the industry to pressure manufacturers into stopping practices that have been deemed unacceptable. While some of these efforts have met with some success, many cosmetic companies still do use animal testing in a somewhat covert way, despite public claims that this is not the case. Another concern for activists is the harmful chemicals in cosmetics. These are marketed to a largely uninformed public. Some of these substances are even claimed to cause various types of cancer, such as breast cancer in women. Activist groups therefore worked to raise public awareness of a largely unregulated industry in which especially giant companies have concealed their unethical practices in order to promote sales.
The research was obtained from limited sources which entailed internet searches and articles. The information was gathered from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and college professors.
Society would assume that when there is a problem, the government intervenes for the safety of the public. But, when it comes to makeup there is no open case between the Federal Drug Administration and cosmetic regulations. For the past years the FDA has worked to eliminate chemicals that have been inconvenient to consumers. These products include “methanol, methylene chloride, mercury compounds [etc.]” (U.S). These additives used to be sold at any over the counter stores but, after its consumption the FDA realized that the product increased death rates more as it increases its consumption. For example, “finger nail extenders containing methyl methacrylate monomer [was banned due] to number of complaints of personal injuries” (U.S). Although first the product appeared to be beneficial to the consumer, its’ daily use increased the magnitude to have negative impacts on the human body.
Throughout history, there have been many different cases in which businesses have made unethical decisions that have caused profound consequences. One of those cases had to do with the Ford Motor Company, and their Ford pinto vehicle. In the year 1968, Lee Iacocca along with other executives decided to manufacture and produce the Ford Pinto model to be sold to the public (Shaw & Barry, 2001). Knowing of a defect in the fuel tank, they still decided to provide their product to consumers in the market (Shaw & Barry, 2001).
Sarah Croft of Shook, Hardy & Bacon, examines the enduring legacy of the PIP scandal in the courts, in EU legislation regarding medical devices and in UK regulation of cosmetic surgery.
Give an example of a company that has been unethical and the consequences of that action. See: Eight Important Business Ethics Cases.
3. In January 2011, it was announced that Johnson & Johnson will need to do the covering out up to $1 billion for lawsuits concerning its subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics. The metal-on-metal hip implants were found to shed tiny metal particles into a patient’s bloodstream over time. The main accusation is that DePuy is manufacturing a defective product and did not do enough to warn patients and doctors of problems with the implant and careless in designing, manufacturing and selling the product.