Some jobs involve exposure to very hazardous materials, such as lead and other toxic
materials. Could a company appropriately prohibit women from holding such jobs, on the
grounds that the toxic environment might harm fetuses of pregnant women? Johnson Controls
manufactures batteries, using lead as a primary ingredient. Known harm caused by exposure to
lead includes harm to the fetus carried a female employee. Johnson Control began hiring
women for work in its factories in 1977. After several workers became pregnant and had lead
levels in their blood in excess of recommended levels, the company adopted a new policy
prohibiting any women who were pregnant or of child-bearing age from working in areas of the
factory where they might be exposed to lead. The U.S. Supreme Court, in 1991, struck down
the restriction as a violation of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, noting that men could also
suffer from exposure to lead but were not barred from these jobs.
What will be an ideal response?
1. Should women alone make the decision of whether to risk exposure to these dangerous
materials? Develop ethical arguments in support of permitting women alone to make this
decision. Then develop ethical arguments in support of the Johnson Control policy.
2. If a child is born with genetic damage suffered during the pregnancy of a woman working
in these risky conditions, who is ethically responsible for the damage, the woman or the
company?
3. Given that men also are at risk from lead exposure, are there other solutions to this
problem?
You might also like to view...
The period from the first century A.D. to the time of Augustine is known as the Patristic era
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.What view of human nature claims that all humans have a rational spiritual self that is distinct from the material
body, has a purpose, endures over time and exists as a separate individual?
a. Traditional Western View b. Traditional Eastern View c. Modern Eastern View d. Postmodern Western View
What is the most widely celebrated holiday in Japan?
a. Buddha’s birthday b. All Souls’ Day c. Autumn Festival d. Japanese New Year
INSTRUCTIONS: Select the correct answer for each multiple choice question. Which of the following are all conclusion indicators?
A) Implies that, accordingly, since. B) For the reason that, it follows that, inasmuch as. C) Therefore, for this reason, entails that. D) Hence, thus, given that. E) Given that, as indicated by, seeing that.