Merck scientist says profits did not trump safety

A Merck & Co. Inc. scientist on Tuesday vehemently denied a Vietnam War veteran's claims the company put profits ahead of safety in marketing its popular pain killer Vioxx.

"I chose a career in research to try to save human life," Alise Reicin, vice president of clinical research at Merck Research Laboratories, testified in the second Vioxx civil case to go to trial."To suggest that I would put profit before human safety is really completely outrageous."In marked contrast to the heated exchanges between the judge and a lawyer for the drug maker that roiled the courtroom on Friday, Merck attorney Stephen Raber calmly questioned Reicin about the development of the drug.