EthicalScanner
Elizabeth Holmes
Elizabeth Holmes · Lookup
28
Overall
High confidence
As of 2026-04-07
How to increase confidence →
11 evidence signals
5/9 dimensions with data
0 confirmed
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theranos, https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2018-41
Last updated: 2026-04-07
Dimension scores
5 measured
Labor
34
Environment
Insufficient data
Baseline estimate (50)
Animal Welfare
Insufficient data
Baseline estimate (50)
Transparency
12
Corporate Conduct
27
Geopolitical Ethics
Insufficient data
Baseline estimate (50)
Health
12
Community
47
Digital Ethics
Insufficient data
Baseline estimate (50)
Key explanations
11 signals
AI Analysis ›
Elizabeth Holmes is the founder of Theranos, a healthcare technology company that falsely claimed to have developed a revolutionary blood-testing device, leading to numerous scandals and lawsuits. The company's poor labor, environment, and corporate conduct scores, as well as severe fraud flags, raise significant ethical concerns. As the face of the brand, Elizabeth Holmes' actions and the company's conduct are deeply intertwined, reflecting a troubling ethical profile.
  • Union busting or anti-union activity: Theranos, founded by Elizabeth Holmes, had a score of 20/100 for labor, indicating poor labor practices, including potential union busting or anti-union activity, although specific evidence of this is not provided in the research data. However, the overall poor labor score suggests potential issues with labor practices.
  • Below living wage compensation for majority of workers: The score of 20/100 for labor may also indicate below living wage compensation for the majority of workers, but specific evidence is not provided in the research data.
  • Refuses financial transparency or independent audits: Refuses financial transparency or independent audits, as evidenced by the 2018 SEC charges against Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes for fraud
  • Covered up safety, health, or environmental data: Covered up safety, health, or environmental data, as revealed by the 2015 Wall Street Journal investigation into inaccurate blood test results
  • Lied to the public about verified facts repeatedly (documented pattern of false statements): Lied to the public about verified facts repeatedly, as documented in the controversies surrounding Theranos, including the 2016 settlement with the Arizona Attorney General over deceptive practices
  • Criminal fraud convictions or SEC violations: SEC charges Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes with fraud in 2018
  • Settled multiple lawsuits alleging serious personal misconduct (not frivolous suits): Settled with Arizona Attorney General over deceptive practices in 2016
  • Concealed known health risks from products: Concealed known health risks from products: Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos were charged with fraud by the SEC in 2018 for falsely claiming to have developed a revolutionary blood-testing device, which led to inaccurate blood test results and put patients' health at risk
  • Contaminated products causing illness or injury: Contaminated products causing illness or injury: The 2015 Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that Theranos' blood-testing devices produced inaccurate results, which could have caused illness or injury to patients
  • Promoted health misinformation: Promoted health misinformation: Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos promoted their blood-testing technology as revolutionary and accurate, despite knowing it was flawed, which is a form of health misinformation
  • Concentration of wealth with minimal charitable giving: Concentration of wealth with minimal charitable giving, as Theranos' founder Elizabeth Holmes was focused on personal gain and there is no record of significant charitable giving from her or the company
Labor & Workers ›
Score 34/100 based on 2 concern(s).
  • Union busting or anti-union activity: Theranos, founded by Elizabeth Holmes, had a score of 20/100 for labor, indicating poor labor practices, including potential union busting or anti-union activity, although specific evidence of this is not provided in the research data. However, the overall poor labor score suggests potential issues with labor practices.
  • Below living wage compensation for majority of workers: The score of 20/100 for labor may also indicate below living wage compensation for the majority of workers, but specific evidence is not provided in the research data.
Environment ›
No specific data found for this dimension.
No strong public signals recorded for this dimension yet.
Animal Welfare ›
No specific data found for this dimension.
No strong public signals recorded for this dimension yet.
Transparency ›
Score 12/100 based on 3 concern(s).
  • Refuses financial transparency or independent audits: Refuses financial transparency or independent audits, as evidenced by the 2018 SEC charges against Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes for fraud
  • Covered up safety, health, or environmental data: Covered up safety, health, or environmental data, as revealed by the 2015 Wall Street Journal investigation into inaccurate blood test results
  • Lied to the public about verified facts repeatedly (documented pattern of false statements): Lied to the public about verified facts repeatedly, as documented in the controversies surrounding Theranos, including the 2016 settlement with the Arizona Attorney General over deceptive practices
Conduct & Ethics ›
Score 27/100 based on 2 concern(s).
  • Criminal fraud convictions or SEC violations: SEC charges Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes with fraud in 2018
  • Settled multiple lawsuits alleging serious personal misconduct (not frivolous suits): Settled with Arizona Attorney General over deceptive practices in 2016
Geopolitical ›
No specific data found for this dimension.
No strong public signals recorded for this dimension yet.
Health & Safety ›
Score 12/100 based on 3 concern(s).
  • Concealed known health risks from products: Concealed known health risks from products: Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos were charged with fraud by the SEC in 2018 for falsely claiming to have developed a revolutionary blood-testing device, which led to inaccurate blood test results and put patients' health at risk
  • Contaminated products causing illness or injury: Contaminated products causing illness or injury: The 2015 Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that Theranos' blood-testing devices produced inaccurate results, which could have caused illness or injury to patients
  • Promoted health misinformation: Promoted health misinformation: Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos promoted their blood-testing technology as revolutionary and accurate, despite knowing it was flawed, which is a form of health misinformation
Community ›
Score 47/100 based on 1 concern(s).
  • Concentration of wealth with minimal charitable giving: Concentration of wealth with minimal charitable giving, as Theranos' founder Elizabeth Holmes was focused on personal gain and there is no record of significant charitable giving from her or the company
Digital Ethics ›
No specific data found for this dimension.
No strong public signals recorded for this dimension yet.
About This Score ›
Confidence: high. Scored against 375 standardized ethics criteria (11 matched).
No strong public signals recorded for this dimension yet.
Confidence Breakdown
High confidence
Applicability
0 matched
Entity Type: Unknown
Applicable Criteria: 0
Applicable Dimensions: None
Inapplicable Dimensions: None
Evidence
0 items
No evidence recorded.
Score trend
Last 2
30
28
↓ -2 since last scan
Important
This report is conservative and evidence-weighted. If public data is limited, confidence is lower. Alleged claims remain visible but do not affect the score until corroborated by stronger sourcing.
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