The Story of Dr. Adam Hansen

There was a recent outcry when Dr. Adam Hansen's decided to take a picture of his patient's genitalia. Dr. Hansen was a resident at the Mayo Clinic and his employment was terminated when it was discovered that he took a picture of his patient's genitals. Many people believe that this was an ethical violation and it was hence appropriate that his employment was terminated.

But, what about the maxim: the punishment should fit the crime. In the present situation the issue is whether taking a photograph of a patient's genitals justifies taking away a person's source of livelihood, for the rest of their lives. A person's source of livelihood should only be taken away for a heinous crime, usually resulting in death or dismemberment of either a person's body or mind. The "victim in question" was a strip club owner who had the words "hot rod" tatooed on his penis. A strip club owner obviously doesn't care a lot about his stripper's privacy and puts their "privates" up for display in seedy strip bars. Accordingly, it is unlikely that a picture of the words hot rod would serve to adversely affect the strip club owner's "mind."

I believe that the Victim in this scandal is the physician. In the present situation the physician had spent about four years in pre med school, four years in med school, then 5 and a half years working towards completing his residency in surgery. He had approximately 6 months left over before he could become a surgeon. Now, he was fired from the Mayo clinic and will not be able to finish his residency and be a surgeon, or a doctor. He is now over a hundred thousand dollars in debt, thirty five years old and with no avenues open for employment. People who assault others get away with far less. His crime does not fit his punishment.