Ethical Dilema

[Jon Miller]

but you can see the point that Che is arguing from

that is a problem for everyone in marketing

Jon Miller

[chequita guevara]

The difference between this and ESP is this purports to be medically helpful. It's not harmful, except in that it lightens your wallet for no real gain, I'm also concerned about participating in something that might cause someone to forego real treatment.

[JohnT]

Oh, I can jon. No problem.

Che: how much of an issue is this for you? Would it be more or less of an issue than if, say, the John Birch Society (or Pat Buchanan for those of you not in the know re: the JBS) asked you to be their webmaster for 6 figures a year?

[Wernazuma III]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
The difference between this and ESP is this purports to be medically helpful. It's not harmful, except in that it lightens your wallet for no real gain, I'm also concerned about participating in something that might cause someone to forego real treatment.

Does he advise people NOT to go to the doctor also?

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by JohnT
Che: how much of an issue is this for you? Would it be more or less of an issue than if, say, the John Birch Society (or Pat Buchanan for those of you not in the know re: the JBS) asked you to be their webmaster for 6 figures a year?

I would not work for Buchanan or the Birchers, regardless of how much trouble I was in, not even for six figures. I would probably cry in that situation, however. I'm leaning towards sending in a proposal, I just feel a little, wrong.

Wernazuma III, I don't know.

[MrFun]

I thought communists don't like to dirty their hands with money.

[JohnT]

Wer asks a good question, one that you should try to find the answer to before you accept. If they advise people not to go to the doctor, that is (imho) beyond the pale and you shouldn't do it.

Perhaps my JBS analogy was a bit too extreme given your views, but the idea is the same.

[Mihai]

Its legal, so go for it.
To feel better, you can use part of those money (and some spare time) to make a campaign against their point of view.

[DaShi]

Originally posted by Mihai
Its legal, so go for it.
To feel better, you can use part of those money (and some spare time) to make a campaign against their point of view.

That's not ethical! Once you're a slave to a demon, you still can't betray it and come out clean.

[SpencerH]

So when did you become a medical expert? People find medical relief from a number of alternatives to western medicine. So long as you dont knowingly participate in a lie then as far as I'm concerned your conscience should be clear.

[Ben Kenobi]

3. I'd do work for a church or commonly accepted religion even though I know religion is bunk. This is an accepted practice in Asia. Is this really that different?

If you can work for a church, as a communist, you can work for a healer. It's not those principles you are defending.

If you feel that this website is positively harmful, in the sense that people will be worse off, then I say don't help them. You should find out if they encourage people to avoid medical doctors before making your decision.

Wernazuma:

It's not just the Catholics who believe that the Holy Spirit can provide the gift of healing through touch, some Protestants do as well, including my own church.

[tandeetaylor]

Originally posted by PLATO1003
If the product is legal, you should procede. It is up to the consumer to do their research before buying the product.

I mean, do you think that people who wouldn't have bought into it will buy into because of you? It likely would make no difference.

[MichaeltheGreat]

You're not making marketing claims, you're not being a party to fraud.

If nothing else, take the money, then if there are clearly bogus medical claims, report your client to the appropriate medical licensing board. Then you can have it both ways.

Some new-agey mumbo jumbo stuff works, some doesn't, and sometimes the stuff that doesn't work has a placebo effect. You're not responsible for what it claimed, or if it's accurate, you're responsible for making it readable and accessible on the website.

If you were called on to write misleading content, that would be a clear ethical issue, but you're not, from what I can tell - you're just organizing whatever content there is and making it available on the site.

Take the money.

[Urban Ranger]

Since you will do the same thing for organised religion, and this outfit is legal, I don't see why not.

Unless it tells people not to go see doctors and similar sort of funny stuff, there isn't really a big ethical issue here.

[Spiffor]

Take the money, if only out of respect for those who helped you when you were down. They couldn't be more pleased than seeing their help eventually paid.