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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                                RONALD A. HAVERL

                                   TERM SHEET



         The following is a summary of the terms of an arrangement between
Bio-Plexus, Inc. (the "Company") and Ronald A. Haverl during the next several
months.

         1.       Resignation - Effective August 1, 1997, Haverl will resign as
                  Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company. He will also
                  resign from his position as Treasurer. Upon such resignation
                  he will cease to be an employee of the Company. He will
                  continue as a director of the Company and the Chairman of the
                  Board of Directors.

         2.       Severance - Haverl will receive a severance payment of
                  $200,000 less adjustments. The adjustments are:

                                    (i)     $85,199 for Haverl's outstanding
                                            debt to the Company (including
                                            interest); and

                                    (ii)    $7,500 for the cost of terminating
                                            the lease on Haverl's company car.

                  The balance of the severance amount ($107,301) will be paid in
                  twelve equal monthly installments of $8,941.75. The
                  installments will be paid on the first day of each month
                  commencing August 1, 1997. Payment of the severance amounts is
                  contingent upon Haverl's providing consulting services as set
                  forth below.

         3.       Consulting Arrangement - Upon his resignation as an employee
                  of the Company, Haverl will become a consultant to the
                  Company.

                  a.       Duties: Haverl will be a management consultant to the
                           Company. He will be available to the Company on an as
                           needed basis.

                  b.       Compensation: Haverl will be paid at the rate of
                           $1,000 per day (or any part thereof) during the
                           consulting period for any day he is called upon to
                           provide services.
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                  c.       Benefits: Haverl will continue to participate in the
                           Company's medical plan, at Haverl's expense, in
                           accordance with the terms and conditions of such
                           plan.

                  d.       Term: The consulting period will commence on October
                           1, 1997 and end September 30, 1998, subject to
                           extension upon mutual agreement of Haverl and the
                           Company. In the period between August 1, 1997 and
                           September 30, 1997, Haverl will provide consulting
                           services to the Company, during normal business
                           hours, as requested by the Chief Executive Officer
                           without charge.

                  e.       Termination: Either the Company or Haverl may
                           terminate the consulting arrangement upon thirty days
                           notice. If the Company terminates the arrangement for
                           any reason other than cause, Haverl will continue to
                           receive the severance payments as provided above. If
                           Haverl terminates the arrangement for any reason
                           other than a breach by the Company, all severance
                           payments to him will cease.

                  f.       Non-Competition: Haverl may not compete with the
                           Company during the term of the consulting period.

                  g.       Confidentiality: Haverl will be bound by customary
                           confidentiality provisions.

         4.       Extension of Warrants - The Company will extend the term of
                  certain warrants issued to Haverl which expire on September
                  19, 1997 until September 19, 1998. The exercise price ($6.00
                  per share) will not be changed.

         5.       Services as the Chairman of the Board of Directors

                  a.       Duties:  Haverl will:

                                    (i)     Set a regular schedule for Board
                                            meetings with advanced notice to the
                                            Board members.

                                    (ii)    Set the agenda in conjunction with
                                            the Chief Executive Officer for each
                                            Board meeting with mailing to the
                                            Board members at least two weeks
                                            before the meeting date. Company
                                            office personnel will assist in
                                            secretarial matters.

                                    (iii)   Refer all inquiries about the
                                            Company to the Chief Executive
                                            Officer and the Stock Holder
                                            Relations Department.

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                                    (iv)    Support the Chief Executive Officer
                                            in the effort to enhance stockholder
                                            returns on investment.

                                    (v)     Perform any other additional duties
                                            as assigned by the Board of 
                                            Directors.

                  b.       Compensation: Haverl will receive the normal
                           Director's compensation of $2,500 per calendar
                           quarter commencing with the last quarter of 1997.

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