Fraud and deceit in medical research

Abstract

• Publication of medical research is the cornerstone for the propagation and dissemination of medical knowledge, culminating in significant effects on the health of the world’s population. However, instances of individuals and institutions subverting the ethos of honesty and integrity on which medical research is built in order to advance personal ambitions have been well documented.
  Many definitions to describe this unethical behaviour have been postulated although the most descriptive is the ‘FFP’ (fabrication, falsification and plagiarism) model put forward by the United States’ Office of Research Integrity. Research misconduct has many ramifications of which the world’s media is all to keen to demonstrate. Many high profile cases the world over have demonstrated this lack of ethics when performing medical research. Many esteemed professionals and highly regarded world institutions have succumbed to the ambitions of a few, who for personal gains, have behaved unethically in pursuit of their own ideals. Although institutions have been set up to directly confront these issues, it would appear that a lot more is still required on the part of journals and their editors to combat this behavioural pattern. Individuals starting out at very junior positions in medical research ought to be taught the basics of medical research ethics so that populations are not failed by the very people they are turning to for assistance at times of need.
  This article provides a review of many of the issues of research misconduct and allows the reader to reflect and think through their own experiences of research. This hopefully will allow individuals to start asking questions on, what is an often, a poorly discussed topic in medical research.

• Key words: Ethics, fraud, plagiarism, research, scientific misconduct, United States office of research integrity