Research misconduct--an indictment and possible solution.

Abstract

The core problems of scientific misconduct are systemic to the infrastructure of the conduct of scientific research itself, and therefore are probably immune to any short-term solutions. Renaming federal agencies, reorganizing monitoring activities, appointing new personnel, and other similar proposed remedies are necessary but insufficient measures. Indeed, the etiological factors in misconduct include an erosion of trust that stands in the way of the ethical integrity flowing from the major ethical principles identified in the Belmont Report. To make those principles applicable and useful to meet the challenges of current research activities, especially those involving human subjects, depends on our ability to foster an unprecedented cooperation of community resources.