PHI 445 WEEK 2 DQ 2

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In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, answer 1

(one) of the following questions. Be sure to include the text of the question itself with your

answer:

 Describe the marketing strategies of the companies involved in the case (distinguish the

marketing methods used by the drug companies from those used by the food

companies). Describe the strategies used by the critics of the infant formula companies.

Explain the concerns of the critics of the formula companies.

 Assess the promotional practices of the companies in terms of the moral standards that

you think are appropriate for the sort of environment in which the companies are

operating. Relate your assessment to the three theories of the manufacturer's duties

discussed in the chapter. Are any of these three theories particularly appropriate or

inappropriate for the Third World context within which the infant formula companies

operate? Evaluate the advertisements used by the companies. Do companies have a

duty to ensure that consumers do not misuse their products? Do the duties of the

manufacturer end at the point of sale?

 Compare and contrast the codes adopted by the ICIFI and by Abbott Laboratories.

Assess the codes in terms of utilitarian criteria, in terms of their recognition of moral

rights, and in terms of their adherence to standards of justice. What explanation can you

give for the fact that the food companies tend to adopt the ICIFI code whereas the drug

companies tend to adhere to a code like Abbott's?

 In your judgment, are the infant formula companies morally responsible for the misuse of

their products and for whatever infant malnutrition results from the use of infant formula in

Third World countries? Are Third World governments responsible? Are Third World

mothers responsible? Is the medical profession in the Third World responsible?

Respond to at least two of your fellow students' postings.

Infant formula was successful in the U.S. and Europe for 40 years and according to

the Case Study #3, 75 percent of American babies were formula fed. However,

during the 1960’s the birth rates fell in Europe and the U.S. with the availability of the

birth control pill. Consequently, the infant formula producers went to Third World

countries where birth control was not being practiced and birth rates flourished. The

drug companies: Brisol-Myers, Abbot Laboratories, and American Home Products

had been producing and marketing their infant formulas through medical

channels. The drug companies found a way to infiltrate the local understaffed

hospitals with “mothercraft nurses” whose white uniforms and medical knowledge

won the confidence of patients as they gave out free samples of the product. They

were also paid commission for promoting the formulas. They also advertised in

medical journals and according to the article, infants were weaned on rice water and

sweetened cow’s milk, and other supplemental foods, so medical personnel were

happy to see another option to weaning (Case Study #3). The food companies,

Nestlé’s and Borden’s who were already producing canned and powdered milk

diversified by entering the infant formula market. The food companies marketed

through “conventional consumer-oriented mass-media advertising such as sound

trucks, radio, television, and visual advertisements like informational booklets,

newspapers, telephone books, magazines, calendars and billboards (Case Study#3).

Critics of the formula companies maintain the infant formula was dangerous and that

the companies are telling mothers, who often had questionable literacy skills, and

their formulas are healthier than mother’s milk because women of low-

socioeconomic status…are generally malnourished. The formula companies also

implied infants only breast fed infants would exhibit “growth retardation” and have

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In one paragraph, supported with evidence from your text and from other research, answer 1 (one) of the following questions. Be sure to include the text of the question itself with your answer: Describe the marketing strategies of the companies involved in the case (distinguish the marketing methods used by the drug companies from those used by the food companies). Describe the strategies used by the critics of the infant formula companies. Explain the concerns of the critics of the formula companies. Assess the promotional practices of the companies in terms of the moral standards that you ...
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