THERANOS WHISTLEBLOWER ASSIGNMENT
PART A
1. Please watch this video for an overview of the Theranos case. (15 min)
2. Please watch the interview and Q&A with Theranos whistleblowers, Tyler Shultz and Erika
Cheung (link below) (100 minutes)
3. Also, read this article on whistleblowing
The Whistleblower’s Dilemma: Do the Risks Outweigh the Benefits?
Now please answer the following questions.
1. From the interview, which are the different forces that shaped the identity of Shultz and Cheung as
Theranos employees? (In other words, what might be some personal and situational factors that
influenced their identity: values, upbringing, education, level of moral development; situational effects:
Do any of the findings from the Stanford, Asch and Milgram experiment apply, moral intensity, moral
framing, company culture, etc.?) Be specific about these forces for both Tyler Shultz and Erika Cheung.
(4 points) (write a couple of paragraphs each for both Shultz and Cheung)
2. Evaluate the forces that shaped their identity as whistleblowers. (Discuss the forces or challenges each
of them faced and what was the tipping point that led them to become whistleblowers? Be specific
about these forces for each one of them. Also, connect these forces to the pros and cons of
whistleblowing discussed in the article (6 points) (write a couple of paragraphs each for both Shultz and
Cheung)
Additional instructions for the assignment.
1. No bullet points, please.
2. The suggested length for each answer is approximately 750 words.
3. Your grade will depend on your analysis’s depth, understanding of the various challenges faced by
whistleblowers, and your ability to use specific examples from the interview and the article.
4. Please proofread your answers before submitting your assignment.
