Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You tell the regulatory agency.
Despite all the good the lab does, you draw the line when it comes to your own health and the health of others. With the director still refusing to come clean, you decide to take the matter into your own hands.
The official at the regulatory agency seems to know right away who the director is. Apparently, he has gained a bad reputation with the authorities for taking a lax attitude towards safety regulations. Assuring you that you did the right thing, the official says he will keep your name confidential as the source of the information on the spill.
Still, you feel bad. After all, the director was always nice to you and he did seem driven by his compassion for people with cancer. You decide to tell him what you did, even if that means losing the job he promised you.
You phone him to make your confession. After a long silence, he responds by telling you not to bother coming in tomorrow, since the lab's license has been revoked.
Thanks to you, he continues, sick people will no longer have the medicine they need to get well and the university will lose one of its moneymaking operations. He succeeds in making you feel guilty. Did you really choose the lesser of two evils?
A year later, the regulatory agency reinstates the nuclear pharmacy's license after it pays a fine and implements rigorous new policies and procedures. The new lab director promises to make safety a priority and says he will not turn a blind eye to any violations. Despite your misgivings, you feel confident that you did do the right thing after all.