Fraud in fundamental and clinical investigations. The necessity for an independent commission for scientific integrity
Overbeke, A.J.P.M.
Verhandelingen - Koninklijke Academie Voor Geneeskunde van Belgie 66(5-6): 343-50; Discussion 351-2
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0302-6469 PMID: 15641565 Document Number: 579362
Scientific misconduct takes various different forms and is real fraud only if there is evidence of intention. There are many forms of scientific dishonesty ranging from very serious to just below the limit of what is permissible, and it occurs at all stages of scientific research. Tracing fraud is by no means easy and its discovery is often only accidental. American, British and Dutch incidences are reported. We know the causes of fraud to be profit-seeking in all its forms, vanity and sloppy research practice. Oddly enough, the consequences of fraud are often more advantageous to the perpetrators than to the whistle-blowers. Literature becomes polluted and faith in scientific knowledge is damaged. In summary the measures and sanctions employed to combat fraud in the United States, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and The Netherlands, are described. In The Netherlands are recently two commissions appointed. Points of discussion include: a governmental or other commission organized at a national or regional level, what protocol should be implemented, should the commission have powers of sanction, for how long should the members of commission be appointed and how is the extent of their liabilities to be decided upon?