-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 H+E710ctCrhaaO3AYkYdfmC3//wz1M4e4RO/jEEcJlRLofB4+aEIfmn37wbk3SUR
 voO5lDWb19nZsE7iidjO/g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950117-02-002009.txt : 20020823
<SEC-HEADER>0000950117-02-002009.hdr.sgml : 20020823
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20020823083925
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950117-02-002009
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20020823
ITEM INFORMATION:		
FILED AS OF DATE:		20020823

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BECTON DICKINSON & CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000010795
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				220760120
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04802
		FILM NUMBER:		02746314

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BECTON DR
		CITY:			FRANKLIN LAKES
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07417-1880
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2018476800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BECTON DR
		CITY:			FRANKLIN LAKE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07417
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a33265.txt
<DESCRIPTION>BECTON DICKINSON
<TEXT>


<PAGE>



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)  August 23, 2002
                                                  ---------------


                          BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           New Jersey                001-4802                   22-0760120
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (State or other juris-         (Commission             (IRS Employer Iden-
   diction of incorporation)       File Number)            tification Number)

   1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey                   07417-1880
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code          (201) 847-6800
                                                            --------------

                                       N/A
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former addresses if changed since last report.)




<PAGE>



Item 9.  REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

         The following statement is being furnished by the Company under the
         provisions of Regulation FD:

         On August 23, 2002, AorTech International plc announced that
         it would not proceed with the acquisition of the critical care
         product line of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company). BD will, therefore,
         continue to manage and support the critical care product line and,
         accordingly, will not incur the loss on sale previously described in
         its fiscal 2002 third quarter earnings release and Form 10-Q for the
         quarter ended June 30, 2002.




<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                           BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
                                                  (Registrant)



                                           By: /s/ Gary DeFazio
                                               ----------------------------
                                                   Gary DeFazio
                                                   Assistant Secretary


Date: August 23, 2002



                                      - 2 -



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
