The SRA Symposium - College of Medicine

Why do ethical scientists make unethical decisions?
Debra S. Schaller-Demers, BA
Education Coordinator, Research Integrity
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Research Compliance Division
425 East 61 Street, Suite 301
New York, New York 10021
212 821-0675
des2010@med.cornell.edu
Author’s Note:
I would like to acknowledge Sheila C. Zimmet, BSN, JD, Associate Dean (Research Compliance) at
Weill Medical College of Cornell University for providing me with confidence, support and sharing
her keen legal insights into the puzzling web of scientific misconduct. Additionally, I would
like to acknowledge Jeffrey Cohen, PhD for introducing me to SRA and getting me “hooked”
on RCR education in the first place, and Michael Zigmond and Beth Fisher of the University of
Pittsburgh and all the participants at the 2005 Teaching Survival Skills and Ethics conference for
showing me that there are many educators, administrators and scientists world-wide dedicated to
the cause.
Abstract
Papers
In light of the ever-increasing number of cases of research misconduct being highlighted in the
media, this paper looks to consider what conditions exist that cause supposedly ethical scientists
to make blatantly unethical decisions. Looking to understand the ethical breaches illustrated in
some of the more publicized cases, three things become apparent. One is the need to explore basic
core values, second is to agree on common definitions and concepts, and third is to recognize the
many outside forces that may have influence on ethical conduct and decision-making. Can common
moral ground among ideology, pedagogy and reality be found through mandatory ethics
training? Free will and choice are part of the human condition - what are the forces that impact
the ethics of those choices and how do we as a societal collective react when our revered scientific
role models fall short?
2005 Symposium Proceedings Book 233