Panel Recommendation Would Hobble Scientific Misconduct Investigations

Abstract

A committee set up to provide advice on the Public Health Service's activities related to scientific misconduct has voted against a proposal that would allow PHS investigators to protect the identity of confidential informants. The action is the latest in a series of recommendations by the panel that would restrict PHS's ability to pursue allegations of misconduct in science. PHS's Office of Research Integrity (ORI) is seeking an exemption from certain requirements of the Federal Privacy Act. Without the exemption—granted to virtually every other government investigatory office—ORI would have to give the subject of an investigation access to all the files concerning his or her case. The investigators want to be able to shield whistleblowers and other witnesses who wish to remain anonymous. However, the majority of the PHS Advisory Committee on Scientific Integrity—established in 1991 to review the agency's policies and procedures for detecting, deterring, ...