06 Feb **Note: Remember that only 50% (at

Business Law Term Paper

Suggested Paper Topic BSL 498 In 1975, Merck developed a drug called ivermectin, a medication that treats parasites. The drug began being used for medical purposes in 1981. Research in 1980’s showed that ivermectin was effective in combatting river blindness. River blindness is a disease that causes severe pain and eventual blindness in people who are infected. The disease is spread by flies biting people, and was especially prevalent in Africa. In 1987, Merck pledged to provide as much of the drug as needed, at no cost, until river blindness is eradicated in Africa. The company knew that this could be a decades-long commitment. In 1994, Merck sought approval to begin human clinical trials for Vioxx, a pain reliever for people who suffer from arthritis. Vioxx promised to be superior to other arthritis pain-relievers, because it does not cause ulcers or stomach bleeding as a side effect. Vioxx became a best-seller, and more than 20 million people used the drug between 1999 and 2004. However, from early on in the clinical trials, Merck began to discover that Vioxx users had much higher incidents of heart attack than people who used traditional painkillers. In 2004, Merck voluntarily stops the sale of Vioxx. Research each of these cases and offer a comparative ethical analysis of the cases. You should: 1) Outline the important/relevant aspects of the cases.

2) Arrive at a decision about whether Merck acted rightly or wrongly.

3) If you believe that Merck acted wrongly, explain what you believe Merck should have done instead.

4) Justify all of your conclusions (acted rightly, acted wrongly, should have done this instead) by supporting them with arguments that use the ethical principles and theories we have studied this semester. What is a “comparative ethical analysis”? A comparative ethical analysis involves the application of the ethical theories to each case, and then a comparison of the results.

For example, apply Utilitarianism to each case and offer a comparison of the result. What does the application of this theory reveal about the similarities and differenced between the two cases? What insights or conclusions can be drawn about the ethically correct course of action in each case, based on the comparison?

**Note: Remember that only 50% (at most) of your paper can be exposition. This means that only 50% (at most) of your paper can be dedicated to outlining the facts of the cases. The rest of your paper must be dedicated to ethical analysis of the cases. In other words, if you write an 8-page paper, only 4 pages (2 pages per case) can be dedicated to outlining the cases. The other 4 pages must be dedicated to your own original ethical argumentation and analysis.**