The need for new mechanisms to ensure research integrity

I have read with great interest your editorial of May 9th: «The need for new mechanisms to ensure research integrity».

You officially react to the recent publication of the excellent report from the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) entitled: «Honesty, accountability and trust: Fostering Research Integrity in Canada». I am delighted that CCA has taken this initiative and I congratulate Professor Paul Davenport for his commendable leadership. He has convened a committee of competent experts who have put forth a memorable document which will become the Canadian bible on the subject. Not only, has this committee covered all aspects of the question, but it has added a voluminous amount of documentation that will assist the next generations. This report suggests, among others, the creation of The Canadian Council for Research Integrity whose responsibilities would be nevertheless limited to prevention and promotion.

Your Editorial mentions that any institution acting on the surveillance of integrity in research in Canada must also investigate and sanctions scientific misconduct. I would like to add that we should not wait for the next major scandal before providing the necessary tools to react promptly and accordingly with pre-established rules that will be known to all partners in research whether institutions and their administrators, scientists and students.

I wholly support your courageous position. You bring an essential element that will project Canada at the forefront towards the protection of the scientific community from the misconduct of a small minority of its members. These individuals put in jeopardy a duly acquired credibility which is weakened by dishonest actions of irresponsible colleagues who are most frequently ill intentioned.

I believe in the benefits of education and prevention, but they are highly insufficient if they are not followed by sanctions for the guilty individuals. I am of the strong opinion that these actions must be undertaken while abiding by respective institutional jurisdictions. The Canadian legislation and constitutional framework must be sufficiently flexible to meet the anticipated objectives.

That was the case in 1988, when I presided the Royal Society of Canada Study on HIV. It contained recommendations directed to different juridical levels. As Vice-president of our steering Committee, Justice Horace Krever provided his valuable guidance to make appropriate recommendations.

I hope your suggestion will receive the appropriate attention it deserves and will be adopted by our authorities.

Michel Chrétien, FRS, MD, OC, OQ, CLH. Emeritus Scientist and Laboratory Director Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Professeur émérite, Université de Montréal

Conflict of Interest:

None declared