TED Talks Daily Theranos, whistleblowing and speaking truth to power | Erika Cheung
Nov 10, 2020
In this insightful discussion, Erika Cheung, a whistleblower who exposed the fraudulent activities at Theranos, reveals her journey from troubled student to advocate for ethical practices. She shares the intense ethical dilemmas faced while uncovering inaccuracies in blood-testing claims. Cheung offers a framework for ethical decision-making, emphasizing the importance of commitment and integrity. She highlights the necessity of fostering a culture of transparency and accountability in organizations, encouraging others to speak truth to power.
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Joining Theranos
- Erika Cheung, a Berkeley graduate, joined Theranos, a startup promising revolutionary blood testing.
- She was inspired by Elizabeth Holmes' vision and her own challenging background.
Discovering Problems
- Cheung noticed problems like data manipulation and inconsistent test results.
- She found these issues concerning, especially when testing patient samples.
Raising Concerns
- Cheung reported her concerns to the COO and even George Schultz, a board member.
- Her concerns were dismissed, leading her to quit Theranos.