From Notre Dame: Research integrity and conflicts of interest: the case of unethical research-misconduct charges filed by Edward Calabrese

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22861179

Account Res. 2012;19(4):220-42. doi: 10.1080/08989621.2012.700882.

Research integrity and conflicts of interest: the case of unethical research-misconduct charges filed by Edward Calabrese.

Shrader-Frechette K.

Source

Department of Philosophy and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA. Kristin.Shrader-Frechette.1@ND.edu

Abstract

Special-interest polluters often file research-misconduct (RM) charges against scientists whose research suggests needed pollutant regulation. This article argues that U.S. RM regulations are flawed in requiring RM assessors/experts/accused, but not accusers, to reveal possible conflicts of interest (COI) that could affect RM allegations. It (1) summarizes U.S. RM regulatory history; (2) uses a case study about 2011 RM allegations, filed by chemical-industry-funded toxicologist Edward Calabrese, to illustrate problems with RM regulations; and (3) offers 4 arguments in favor of revising RM regulations so as to require RM-accuser revelation of possible COI and who funded preparation of the RM allegations.