Under the moral principles of the Utilitarian Theory, the current model of drug testing is acceptable in that the interests of the majority of society are placed ahead of the interests of the minority, who are often subjected to the perils of drug testing. Under the Utilitarian Theory there are many arguments that would promote testing drugs on individuals in third world countries. If one were to argue only that the majority of society would benefit from testing drugs on impoverished people, who are the minority, then the practice would be viewed as morally acceptable under the Utilitarian Theory. The western pharmaceutical companies use this argument to test their drugs in third world countries and use public relations campaigns to make
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Kant’s Theory emphasizes that using another individual as a means for one’s own benefit is immoral. Subjecting an individual to a drug trial to benefit another individual or organization is immoral when subjected to the premises of Kant’s Theory based on the principle that no one should be used as a means for the benefit of someone else. The practice of subjecting an individual living in a third world country to drug testing violates the premises of Kant’s Theory on many levels. Under Kant’s theory, drug testing on unsuspecting individuals in third world countries who cannot freely give implied consent is immoral. Taking into consideration that the consent was voluntary and implied, the practice still would not pass the moral scrutiny of Kant’s Theory on the grounds that the drugs are still unproven and can have adverse effects. Based solely on Kant’s Theory, there is no manner in which drug trials could be proven to be morally justified unless the drug already had a proven track record of providing medical benefits and there was no financial incentive in giving the drug to other individuals. The purpose of testing the drug would be solely for the benefit of the person receiving the drug rather than the person or organization making the
Kant’s Theory emphasizes that using another individual as a means for one’s own benefit is immoral. Subjecting an individual to a drug trial to benefit another individual or organization is immoral when subjected to the premises of Kant’s Theory based on the principle that no one should be used as a means for the benefit of someone else. The practice of subjecting an individual living in a third world country to drug testing violates the premises of Kant’s Theory on many levels. Under Kant’s theory, drug testing on unsuspecting individuals in third world countries who cannot freely give implied consent is immoral. Taking into consideration that the consent was voluntary and implied, the practice still would not pass the moral scrutiny of Kant’s Theory on the grounds that the drugs are still unproven and can have adverse effects. Based solely on Kant’s Theory, there is no manner in which drug trials could be proven to be morally justified unless the drug already had a proven track record of providing medical benefits and there was no financial incentive in giving the drug to other individuals. The purpose of testing the drug would be solely for the benefit of the person receiving the drug rather than the person or organization making the