Risk Exposure: Using Cases in Strategies Involving an Aging Medication

Abstract

Explains the history of a controversial and aging breast cancer preventative drug called tamoxifen, the risk assessment processes used to determine whether or not to continue to aggressively market a medication that remains beneficial to some but not all, the risks associated with moral lacunae, and how virtue-imbued casuistry can fortify current risk analysis processes.

It is better by noble boldness to run the risk of being subject to half the evils we anticipate than to remain in cowardly listlessness for fear of what might happen. (Herodotus 1890).

—Herodotus

The quote here is a summary of the following: It is better to have good courage about everything and to suffer half the evils which threaten, than to have fear beforehand about everything and not to suffer any evil at all: and if, while contendingagainst everything which is said, thou omit to declare the course which is safe, thou dost incur in these matters the reproach of failure equally with him who says the opposite to this. This then, I say, is evenly balanced: but how should one who is but man know the course which is safe? I think, in no way. To those then who choose to act, for the most part gain is wont to come; but to those who reckon for everything andshrink back, it is not much wont to come.