Submitted by w0mpum t3_11aw8gz in todayilearned
Reply to comment by Arrow_to_the_knee1 in TIL about Janet Parker, the last person to die of smallpox in 1978. She worked above one of the last labs in its last months of permission to study the virus. The day Janet's viral strain was confirmed, Henry Bedson, the doctor in charge of the lab, took his own life. by w0mpum
When he died he left a note that said >I am sorry to have misplaced the trust which so many of my friends and colleagues have placed in me and my work.
It was proved a little while later that her infection wasn't his fault.
That is so sad.
Do you have a source for that? The article linked here fully blames him.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Bedson
Wikipedia lists a biography of Bedson as a source that he was not guilty. Apparently he was found not guilty after his death by a court. No one knows what really happened.
It is highly likely the lab was the source.
And he was the boss of the lab.
Whether it was him personally being careless, or some fault in the procedures of the lab he oversaw doesn't really matter.
I don't know anything about it. I'm just sharing a source that says he wasn't at fault cause someone asked.
Also I could envision a case where he was the boss of the lab, but had not been given adequate resources to make the lab safe, and had actively been trying to get them? Idk that's a made up scenario, I'm just saying there could be some way he wouldn't be at fault.
If you're the boss, you assume responsibility with the benefits. If you're underfunded and find it a dangerous environment- you either leave or cut into areas not related to safety to ensure safety is top priority over any results. No matter the budget- the big boss is always responsible for workers safety, that's the privilege and downside of that salary.
There is no excusable scenario. Not saying he deserved to die- absolutely not- no one does. But he seemed much more in tune with his responsibility as a boss than you see. I've run several enterprises and also not sure I could live with myself if anyone died due to the negligence of my business- whether staff/customer/passerby. It doesn't matter, I'm paid to make things run in a safe and responsible environment and the only person keeping me accountable is karma/life. If I slack or fuck up- I'm not getting suspended- I'm criminally responsible and that's partly why I'm paid what i am paid.
"Great power Comes with great responsibility "
Sorry you’re definitely not criminally liable for everything that happens when you’re a boss? Also assuming infinite responsibility with something outside of your control is both honorable and misguided. I don’t think it’s what anyone wants in a leader.
Yeah I don't think I worded that quite right- more that as the boss you assume responsibility for any failings within your sphere of influence- which does include behavior of employees, safety issues etc.
But I see what you mean in my wording, there can Def be things outside your control no matter what- which is why these things are deeply investigated by governing bodies. But any finding that finds a failure in procedures etc is the responsibility of the boss.
Like if lightning strikes someone at an outdoor festival it shouldn't be blamed of the organizer of that festival. But if there's multiple overdoses, criminal acts etc- then yeah- that's within their sphere of influence from a procedural standpoint, and they need to be held accountable for failure to put safety over profits.
Don't know if that makes more sense on my viewpoint, but thanks for correcting me. I do see how I worded that wrong originally, and I appreciated that being pointed out to me
For sure! Nobody wants their friend to take responsibility for a situation where they did everything they could. It’s somehow right and wrong at the same time in a way I think you understand.
>Apparently he was found not guilty after his death by a court
I was going to say this makes zero sense, but then I realized British
Well I haven't read any details of the case. It did say a court, but I'm thinking there would have been some kind of inquiry into the case. Perhaps a criminal case against the lab owners and operators too. Idk. I'm thinking of reading that book.
British what?
Yes.
That's not a clarification
Can you say more about that? How was it proven?
the prevailing theory was originally airborne infection but they proved unequivocably she could not have gotten infected upstairs from it.
It was either by contact with a surface or person to person... rumors flew but most likely would be someone irresponsibly handled something in his lab, which couldve been Bedson himself. Either way it is his responsibility ultimately.
He was not found guilty in a court of law, posthumously. That is very different from it not being his fault or his responsibility.
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