The Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics at Loyola University

Fake Research is On the Rise

Forget a few painted mice. According to a new study, more researchers are lying, more often. An AP story today reveals that
Allegations of misconduct by U.S. researchers reached record highs last year as the Department of Health and Human Services received 274 complaints -- 50 percent higher than 2003 and the most since 1989 when the federal government established a program to deal with scientific misconduct.

Chris Pascal, director of the federal Office of Research Integrity, said its 28 staffers and $7 million annual budget haven't kept pace with the allegations. The result: Only 23 cases were closed last year. Of those, eight individuals were found guilty of research misconduct. In the past 15 years, the office has confirmed about 185 cases of scientific misconduct.

- Art Caplan

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Have you ever noticed how many Republicans, starting with President Bush, claim to be against Stem Cell Research because of the moral and ethical considerations? Have you noticed how they are fixed on 'embryonic' stem cell rather than admitting the successes of adult stem cells?
Let me shed some light on why they have taken this position. In addition to Eli Lilly telling me that it would never support anything that would ever cure diabetes, and admitting that 20% of its 12 billion dollars in revenue in 2003 came from the sale of insulin (diabetes has been reversed in other countries), look at all of the campaign contributions made by the pharmaceuticals to our elected officials:
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing:
Top 20 Recipients
Election cycle: 20042002200019981996199419921990
List Top 20: All RecipientsPresidential CandidatesSenatorsMembers of the HouseSenate CandidatesHouse CandidatesAll Members of Congress
Rank
Candidate
Office
Amount
1
Bush, George W (R)
Pres
$499,549
2
Kerry, John (D)
Pres
$275,888
3
Burr, Richard (R-NC)
Senate
$196,148
4
Ferguson, Mike (R-NJ)
House
$180,899
5
Specter, Arlen (R-PA)
Senate
$120,700
6
Hastert, Dennis (R-IL)
House
$116,500
7
Gregg, Judd (R-NH)
Senate
$106,000
8
Dodd, Chris (D-CT)
Senate
$100,525
9
Bond, Christopher S 'Kit' (R-MO)
Senate
$83,503
10
Barton, Joe (R-TX)
House
$79,750
11
Bennett, Robert F (R-UT)
Senate
$78,000
12
DeLay, Tom (R-TX)
House
$76,999
13
John, Chris (D-LA)
Senate
$74,468
14
Lieberman, Joe (D-CT)
Senate
$73,000
15
Bayh, Evan (D-IN)
Senate
$72,022
16
Johnson, Nancy L (R-CT)
House
$71,250
17
Martinez, Mel (R-FL)
Senate
$69,050
18
Simmons, Rob (R-CT)
House
$67,436
19
Isakson, Johnny (R-GA)
Senate
$66,099
20
Frelinghuysen, Rodney (R-NJ)
House
$64,602
Notice how many Republicans are listed above?
Send to Democratic Party!

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