Benchmark: Ethical Dilemmas

Benchmark - Ethical Dilemmas

Performance enhancing drugs can be a huge asset to athletes. There are also extreme health risks associated with these drugs. This drug is currently not illegal yet but has there been any test studies on the health risks? Paul may lose his starting position if he doesnt keep pace with the other members of his team. Using non-illegal performance enhancing drugs is an acceptable method to increase body mass and speed. This paper will address the ethical dilemma of using performance enhancing drugs, from the perspective of a former athlete.

Ethical Dilemma

Considering the financial upside for an athlete who may consider doping as a means of greater performance to increase their earnings, what do they have to worry about? Even if they are exposed, they've already reaped the benefits. (Brumagin, 2012) If the drug is not illegal who are we to say if it is right or wrong? Ethical thinking and practices are associated with positive ethics speaks to the professional goal of helping others doing competent, beneficial work. (Etzel & Skvarla, 2017) The use of banned drugs can lead to fines and suspensions, but they can also be used medically in the rehabilitation from an injury. Many of these drugs are like hormones that aid in repair of the muscle tissue. Some increase the red blood cell levels. They can also aid in kidney disease. Faster recovery times for sports such as swimming or bicycling. Ethically speaking, PEDs are a beneficial part of sports and medicine.

Core Beliefs

Legally his response can be to use or not based on his personal choice. The PED is not a banned substance so there would be no legal implications. Physically, he would assure his starting spot. Besides making Paul quicker, bigger and stronger PEDs also can help him recover after a workout or event. Football is a physically demanding sport that requires speed and strength with quick recovery times. A study by Rogerston and colleagues (2007) nicely illustrates this effect of performance-enhancing drugs. (Linnaeus, 2017) Bench press strength and cycling performance increased vs a placebo group. With results coming in 3 weeks vs the typical 6 to 12 weeks. Increased recovery can be found in Miller and Btaiche (2009)s study showed that oxandrolone (a synthetic derivative of testosterone) improved lean body mass, increased muscle strength, and restored body weight in patients with severe thermal injuries. (Linnaeus, 2017) Spiritually he can be placated by the truth that it is not a banned substance. If at some time in the future the PED becomes banned, then he has a whole new set of facts to consider. Physically, Mentally and Spiritually.

Resolution

This is a difficult question ethically from a Christians worldview. God blessed us with this body, is it ok for us to alter that blessing? Is there a place for healthy enhancement? (McGarvey, 2007) Lets consider context for a moment. As we are commanded to take dominion over creation to improve the world. At what point is it too much? When does it become a battle against Gods will? Lets take cosmetic surgery, many believers look down on this procedure strictly for vanity sake. However, those same believers have no moral dilemma to use that same cosmetic surgery to restore a burn victim. Therefore, context must be taken into consideration. (McGarvey, 2007) In our PED scenario Paul should pass on using this drug strictly for enhancement purposes. If he was using them to recover from a serious injury the moral compass could be pointed differently. The Bible has a lot to say about sins of the heart and attitude. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27)

Evaluation

The Christian worldview would almost certainly cost Paul his starting position on the football team and possibly the opportunity to go farther in his chosen sport. But, maybe God didnt have being a sports star in Paul future. The Law of unintended consequences holds that almost all human actions have at least one unintended consequence. Unintended consequences are a common phenomenon, due to the complexity of the world and human over-confidence. Author Unknown human over-confidence. Author Unknown The law of unintended consequences is not a divine mandate, but more a proverbial wisdom. (Marquez, 2013) In 1 Peter 1:15 16, we are told, that we are to be holy because our God is holy. Although we strive to this expectation none of us are too good at it. We tend to look for external source to modify our behaviors which is a recipe for failure. The very thing that we thought would save us will eventually crush us (Rom 7:10)

Comparison

Based off my limited research on Pantheism, it appears that this religions worldview would allow Paul to utilize the science of PEDs. One of the basic concepts states: Respect for reason, evidence and the scientific method as our best ways of understanding nature and the Universe. (Harrison, 1997) With this concept I believe that as a moral question is positive. Gaia links together plants, animals, bacteria, rocks, oceans, and atmosphere in a unity that shapes the planet and maintains life on earth. We are one with the planet and with all life. (Harrison, 1996) This is different for the Christian Worldview in that Christians believe the body was given to us as a perfect being and we should not try to remake Gods creation.

Conclusion

During the research of for this paper I was a little biased about PEDs. Looking at it from a Christian Worldview showed me some other concepts and ideas. I still believe that since the substance is not banned, and he could lose his starting spot on the team, it behooves him to least get caught up with his other team mates. Ethically for a Christian, context plays a very important factor in moral ambiguity. Unintended consequences could be that Christians are not represented in sports as much. There are other religions in our world and Pantheism is one that I believe would allow Paul to prosper by taking the PEDs. As a former athlete that utilized non-banned enhancements I think Paul is not being a team player.

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