Dr. Bernard Sears is the principal investigator on a grant from the National Institute of Health. The primary aim of the research is the chemical modification of specific natural products for use as anti-cancer agents. Part of this research involves phase I clinical trials in humans, testing these chemically modified derivatives for toxicity. During the fourth year of this five-year grant, Dr. Sears develops health problems and is diagnosed as being terminally ill. During the first several months of his illness, he is able to work from his home office. He has his research technician bring all of the relevant data books from the chemical synthesis phase of the research to his home. He begins analyzing and organizing the data with the intention of preparing manuscripts for publication. When Dr. Sears becomes too ill to work, the institution contacts the NIH and requests appointment of an interim principal investigator. NIH approves of this request. The phase I clinical trials move ahead smoothly during the last year of the proposal and the results are promising. Unfortunately, before the grant funding period ends, Dr. Sears dies. The financial books on the grant are closed at the end of the five-year funding period. A final financial report is filed with the NIH several months later. During this time Dr. Sears' household, has been liquidated and his assets assumed into an estate. The NIH sends a request for a final scientific report on the project. The Director of Sponsored Programs gives this request to the interim principal investigator. After several weeks of investigation, no information can be gained on the location of the databooks that Dr. Sears took home with him in order to write his manuscripts. Following an investigation by the University legal office and the campus police, it is concluded that the databooks were destroyed when Dr. Sears's household was sold.


Questions:

  • Is there any recourse to salvage this important study?
  • Who should be held accountable for these events?
  • Should anyone be punished?
  • Has scientific misconduct been perpetrated?


http://research-ethics.org/topics/data-management/#discussion



Last modified: Tuesday, 12 March 2019, 2:03 PM