1. Does the national Do Not Call Registry adversely affect the way that business is conducted in this country? If so, how? Should Congress enact a Do Not Spam law? Why or why not?

2. If 90 percent of the toxic waste at a given site can be removed for $50,000, but removing the last 10 percent will cost $2 million, is it reasonable to require that the last 10 percent be removed? How would you address this question?

3. In a time of economic recession, should the government wait until there is scientific proof of the harmful effects on humans and wildlife before attempting to regulate pharmaceuticals in drinking water? Or should the government enact legislation to address the problem now—before it becomes worse? Discuss fully.

4. Can you think of a better way that the law can address the problem of global warming, which is clearly not just a national issue? Explain.

If this text had been written a hundred years ago, it would have had little to say about federal government regulation. Today, in contrast, just about every area of economic activity is regulated by the government. Ethical issues in government regulation arise because regulation, by its very nature, means that some traditional rights and freedoms must be given up to ensure that other rights and freedoms are protected. Essentially, government regulation brings two ethical principles into conflict. On the one hand, deeply embedded in American culture is the idea that the government should play a limited role in directing our lives. On the other hand, one of the basic functions of government is to protect the welfare of individuals and the environment in which they live. Ultimately, almost every law or rule regulating business represents a decision to give up certain rights in order to protect other perceived rights. In this Focus on Ethics feature, we look at some of the ethical aspects of government regulation.