1. Describe the ethical issue.
2. What are some of the potential negative effects of triclosan?
3. What impact could the FDA’s proposal have on soap manufacturers?

The soap industry is a strong business within the United States, amounting to more than $5 billion in sales of soaps, shower products, and body washes. The industry has come under scrutiny over product safety and validity of claims, which could lead to significant decreases in profits. If the soap is used too often, a chemical called triclosan—found in approximately 75 percent of antibacterial products—could lead to bacteria that are not only resistant to triclosan but to other antibiotics as well. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed that antibacterial soap and body wash manufacturers provide additional evidence that their products are more effective than comparable products and are safe for long-term use. If antibacterial soap manufacturers cannot prove their claims of effectiveness, they might have to re-label their products, reformulate them, or even remove them completely, which would be costly.