Professional sports are the front for people to get involved in a business where money is abundant and the temptation to be the best is too great. It has been well known that some athletes resort to using drugs that enhance their performance and this is why there is a committee that checks the players for this specific reason.
Ethics and morality have often been a part of the debate in the usage of such drugs and especially, the influence that the case will have on the greater public. In the end, using illegal substances that enhance performance are an unfair way to become better than the rest of the competing players but more importantly, a bad example to the young generation which is very influenced by the reputation and image of the professional athletes.
The All-Star game Most Valuable Player Melky Cabrera of the San Francisco Giants and Former AL Cy Young Award winner Oakland Athletics starter Bartolo Colon are two professionals who have been using testosterone to enhance their playing skills.
The sports federation has made a decision to suspend both players for 50 games, so the case is rather significant because the publicity and lessons that have to be learned are not only those of the men suspended (Melky Cabrera suspended 50 games, 2012). The most important aspect of the situation is that these players are employees.
They are given a job and certain requirements are laid out that are attributable to all employees. Because the drugs influence bodily functions and change the chemical make-up, it is considered illegal and unethical to get involved in such an activity. The workplace or environment that these professionals are in is very unique, as it is very public and so, ethical considerations must be complied with even more. Also, because sport is a form of business, the reputation of the whole industry might be at stake.
People expect responsible and proper actions from any Major League Sports, so it is instrumental that no situation affects the way people view the organization. In case the public develops a negative attitude towards the players or a sport, it will directly suffer. People are the ones who make sports demanded and so, a shift in preference will affect everyone involved in the corporation (Another player receives 50-game Ban, 2012).
Another issue is the safety of the players and the image in regards to proper procedures that are presented. There are no guarantees that the drugs used will not have a negative side effect on the body or mind of the people who took vthem.
As the studies are very limited, it is unclear how the body will react in the long term. But more importantly, the health concern is in relation to the children and public. If professional players use drugs, they are viewed as role models for the younger generation, and this will make it seem acceptable to take drugs.
Children will feel that it is safe to do, as professionals are taking them, so there will be even greater concern for the health of young people. Ethics are a crucial part of the world and so, every effort must be taken in supporting and ensuring that morality stays on a high level. From all perspectives, the use of drugs is regulated by the law and is made illegal. Even if some will accept the possibility of certain drugs being less harmful than others, it is still improper to use substances that will affect the organism.
Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon have received a suspension for their actions and it is rather justified. Morally, it would be wise to set an example that such actions will not be tolerated. Even though it might be said that it was a lengthy and unfair suspension and no one was hurt, it was still a wrong thing to do. From the perspective of utilitarianism, the greater good or the most amount of happiness should be applied.
It could be said that by taking the enhancement drugs, the athletes would provide better performance and thus, bring more happiness to the viewers. The only people they are potentially hurting are themselves and so, it would be allowed for the benefit of the majority. But even though it might seem as a harmless and even positive act, the damage that could be done from the reputation of such matter could be much greater.
Even if no one finds out about their act, it is still immoral and is done by deceiving and lying to people. But more importantly, if children and the public will think that these sorts of acts will go unpunished, the use of illegal drugs will be increased and the health of people will be impacted. This would create much more unhappiness in the lives of all people who use drugs, in addition to their relatives and friends who will also be affected by the negative behavior.
From either perspective the use of drug enhancing substances is wrong and should not be permitted. The reputation and morality illustrate that it is unethical in all aspects of the matter.
References
Another player receives 50-game Ban. (2012). Web.
Melky Cabrera suspended 50 games. (2012). Web.