As the CEO of a pharmaceutical company that developed a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19, I would respond to calls to share my company’s intellectual property (IP) with great caution. I would first need to assess the situation carefully and consider all of the relevant factors, including the following:
- The severity of the pandemic and the urgent need for vaccines and treatments.
- The company’s ability to meet the global demand for its products.
- The potential impact on the company’s financial viability and its ability to continue innovating.
- The potential for other companies to produce counterfeit or substandard versions of the company’s products.
If I determined that sharing the company’s IP was necessary to protect public health and ensure that everyone has access to vaccines and treatments, I would be willing to do so. However, I would also want to ensure that the company is compensated fairly for its investment and that its IP is protected from unauthorized use.
A biblical worldview would influence my decisions in the following ways:
First, I would be guided by the principle of love for my neighbor. This would mean putting the needs of others ahead of the company’s own interests, especially in a situation where people’s lives are at stake.
Second, I would be guided by the principle of justice. This would mean ensuring that the company is compensated fairly for its investment and that its IP is protected from unauthorized use.
Third, I would be guided by the principle of stewardship. This would mean using the company’s resources wisely and responsibly, and ensuring that they are used for good.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe that sharing the company’s IP would be a just and loving thing to do. It would also be a good way to steward the company’s resources, as it would allow the company to make a positive impact on the world.
Here is a specific example of how I would apply a biblical worldview to my decision-making process:
Imagine that I am the CEO of a pharmaceutical company that has developed a highly effective vaccine for COVID-19. The vaccine is in high demand all over the world, but my company is struggling to meet the demand.
I receive a call from the World Health Organization (WHO), asking me to share my company’s IP with other pharmaceutical companies so that they can also produce the vaccine. The WHO argues that this is necessary to ensure that everyone has access to the vaccine, regardless of their income or where they live.
I am sympathetic to the WHO’s request, but I am also concerned about the potential impact on my company. If I share my company’s IP, other companies will be able to produce the vaccine more cheaply, and this could erode my company’s profits. I am also concerned about the potential for counterfeit or substandard versions of the vaccine to be produced.
I pray about the situation and ask God for guidance. I realize that the most important thing is to do what is best for people’s health and well-being. I also realize that my company has a responsibility to make the vaccine available to as many people as possible.
I decide to share my company’s IP with the WHO, but I also negotiate a licensing agreement that ensures that my company is compensated fairly for its investment and that its IP is protected from unauthorized use. I also work with the WHO to ensure that the vaccine is produced and distributed in a safe and effective manner.
I believe that this decision is consistent with a biblical worldview. It is a loving thing to do, it is a just thing to do, and it is a good way to steward the company’s resources.
