Dr. Srinivasan faces an ethical dilemma as his research team suggests unethical practices to expedite drug trials for a rapidly spreading viral disease. The challenge lies in balancing professional integrity with market pressures for a quick breakthrough.

Ethical Questions Involved

• Integrity in Scientific Research: Does altering data undermine the fundamental ethical principle of honesty in science? 
• Patient Rights and Safety: How do shortcuts compromise the rights of patients to informed consent and to receive a treatment that is safe and thoroughly tested?
• Intellectual Property and Fair Competition: How does violating patent laws affect the ethics of competition and innovation in the biotechnology field?
• Social Responsibility: How does Dr. Srinivasan''s decision impacts society at large, especially given the public''s dependence on safe pharmaceuticals to combat a dangerous viral disease?

(a) My Approach to the situation:

• Uphold scientific integrity (Deontology): Reject any data manipulation or lack of informed consent, prioritizing truth and patient welfare over outcomes.
• Engage in transparent dialogue: Address leadership about the long-term ethical and reputational risks, promoting honesty and moral courage.
• Seek extended timelines/resources: Request more time or resources to meet goals, ensuring a safer, more effective outcome for society (utilitarian).
• Consult regulatory authorities: Report pressures for unethical actions if internal solutions fail, safeguarding public health and ethical standards.
• Encourage ethical innovation: Promote creative solutions that respect intellectual property, embodying fairness and respect for others’ work.

(b) Options Available:

Option 1 - Manipulating Data

Option 2 - Using Patented Compounds

Option 3 - Adhering to Ethical Standards

Option 4 - Respecting Intellectual Property and develop one’s own original compound

‍In such a situation, as Dr. Srinivasan, I would reject the proposed shortcuts and uphold the highest ethical standards. Even though the pressure to expedite the process is intense, and the company’s desire for a first-mover advantage is significant, compromising on ethics could have severe and long-term consequences for both patients and the company itself.

(c) How Data Ethics and Drug Ethics Save Humanity

Data Ethics

• Data ethics emphasizes the responsible handling of information, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and accountability. 
• By avoiding data manipulation, researchers protect the integrity of their work, foster trust, and ensure that decisions are made based on reliable evidence. 
• Trust in healthcare and science is fragile, and once eroded, it is difficult to regain.‍

Drug Ethics

• Drug ethics focuses on the moral principles guiding pharmaceutical research and the duty to "do no harm." 
• Following established ethical protocols, such as informed consent and rigorous clinical trials, ensures patient well-being and fosters ethical innovation in drug development.
• Prioritizing patient safety over profit serves the greater good of humanity. 

R.K.Merton, a Functionalist rightly highlighted that the following include ethos of science as below:-  

• Communism – scientific knowledge is not private, it must be shared so it can grow.  
• Universalism – scientific knowledge is judged by universal, objective criteria.  
• Disinterestedness – committed to studying science for science’s sake – no vested interest.  
• Organised Sceptism – no knowledge is sacred and everything is open to scrutiny.

Upholding ethical standards in drug development and data management ensures that the Scientist referred here is socially responsible to bring in peace and prosperity to the society as a collective being.