tfdl

Not sure how to think about this. Maybe some of you out in the blogosphere can help me think through this ethical "mindfield".

Here is the situation:

I am on the board of a biotech firm that develops a vaccine for bird flu.
I leave that position to return to government service (at a very high level) where I have a voice in how our government responds to this possible pandemic including whether or not to stockpile vaccine, and perhaps any plans to ration that vaccine.
I retain a significant number of shares in the company I left.
I sell some of those shares after several years reaping a capital gain of $5 million still keeping a large number of shares (about $25 million).
The stock price in that company has soared in the past year, so that position has improved significantly.
By the very nature of my position, I still can have an indirect influence on government policy about purchasing these vaccines, even though I recuse myself from “participating in any particular matter when the matter would directly and predictably affect [my] financial interest [in the company]".

Here are a few questions for you to help address my situation (feel free to add your own):

When I decided to enter into government service, should I have placed all such assets in a blind trust to avoid the appearance of any conflict of interest?

If there is an outbreak of bird flu such that I receive an unimaginably larger windfall from my investment in the company, should I keep those profits, or should I give them to charitable organizations that are chartered with serving those who might have been harmed by this epidemic? Or is it just a matter of being in the right place at the right time, and willing to risk capital to garner reward?

Here are a few questions for you, the readers:

Does it matter how much wealth I have not counting my holdings in this company?
Does it matter what my name is?

Here is a link to the article that stirred this inquiry.