Ethics of Coke Research

1. Can Coke
Research Weight
Loss?
Tom Peterson

2. The Facts
 Coke has always broadcast obesity as an exercise problem
 Coca Cola donated 1.5 million to the Global Energy Balance
Network
 For years coke has put lots of money into company's like the
Global Energy Network, advertise soda and sugary drinks
which do not have a bad effect on the body
 Coke is now trying to reduce diseases associated with poor
nutrition and inactivity
 Good news Americans now drink 25% fewer full calorie soft
drinks than 20 years ago

3. The Problem
 Obesity is on the rise and and watching weight
is becoming more important to Americans
 Coke is in a competitive market with many the
research being done is sensitive data
 Sugary drinks have been shown to lead to
obesity, heart disease and diabetes there is no
transparency from coke
 Very hard to regulate

4. Questions
 Is coke trying to boost profits and reverse
declining sales?
 Will the soda industry ever be fully regulated?
 Does coke have an obligation to the customer
to disclose long-term research?
 Should coke be able to fund Weight Loss
Research?

5. Source
 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-
radcliffe/is-it-ethical-for-coke-
to_b_8009304.html