The case of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals changed federal law

 Assignment:

This week you will reflect upon and answer the following question:

1. The case of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals changed federal law on the testimony of scientific experts. It involved the drug Bendectin. Examine the case and address the question of whether or not the drug is dangerous. How does the case help explain the difficulty in regulating the drug companies and their products?

2.  Examine one of the following substances in depth—its origin, associated industries, substances that could be substituted for it, history of regulation, and health effects: dioxin, benzene, asbestos, trichloroethylene, chromium, lead, solvents, perfluorooctanoic acid, methane gas, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, leptophos, copper cyanide, ethylene chloride, methyl isocyanine gas, fuel oil residues, styrene tars, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, vinyl chloride, diesel fuel, kepone, EPN, cotton dust, radioactive waste, beryllium. 

3. Koch Industries is one of the companies that paid a seemingly enormous fine of $30 million in 2000. How much did this fine hurt the company? Has Koch been targeted for wrongdoing since then?