Healthy Skepticism Library item: 17037

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Wilmshurst PT
Is there no place for integrity in academic medicine?
BMJ 2010 Jan 19;
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/340/jan19_2/c281

Abstract:

Any right thinking person who has followed the events in the case reported by Dyer must be impressed by the integrity and courage shown by Aubrey Blumsohn in trying to ensure that clinical research was analysed and presented properly.1 The conduct of Sheffield University, Professor Eastell, the trial sponsor (Procter and Gamble), and the General Medical Council all fell short of what patients and the public should expect. It is Blumsohn who lost his job.

The messages are clear: there is no place for integrity in academic medicine, and whistleblowers will not be protected.