Heeding the Industrial Siren: $$$

(2005-07-02)

The intense controversy surrounding the new conflict-of-interest regulations at the National Institutes of Health prompted The Science Advisory Board (http://www.scienceboard.net) to look closely at what constitutes acceptable pursuits for government scientists to engage in for compensation from industry.

Only 15% of respondents to a recent Instant Poll conducted by The Science Advisory Board believe that government scientists should not receive compensation for engaging in any activities sponsored by the pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology industry. Of the remaining 85% of those polled who believe it is acceptable for government scientists to receive some type of payment for their services to industry, 25% think that training scientists is the most worthy commission.

Conducting research and reviewing scientific materials were tied for second place with 19% each. Recruiting scientists, designing experiments, and authoring scientific materials for industry were deemed the most unacceptable activities for government scientists.

"The majority opinion is that government scientists can have outside consulting arrangements with industry within carefully constructed limits," observes Tamara Zemlo, Ph.D., MPH, Executive Director of The Science Advisory Board. Helping train scientists, by sharing one's knowledge and expertise, is seen as a noble and enlightened effort that can benefit the enterprise as a whole. Other activities that might confer an advantage to one specific company over another--recruiting scientists, designing experiments, and authoring scientific materials--were not viewed as favorably.

Dr. Tamara Zemlo can be interviewed about conflict of interest issues in the life sciences or research ethics on Tuesday, July 5 or Wednesday, July 6, 2005. She can be reached at The Science Advisory Board at 703.778.3080 x25 or at t.zemlo@scienceboard.net.

ABOUT THE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD

The Science Advisory Board is an online panel of more than 25,500 scientists, physicians and other life science and medical professionals from 62 countries. By convening electronically, Science Advisory Board members participate in online studies to voice their opinions on issues that directly affect the evolution and development of the tools and techniques of their professions. Scientists can contribute their own views on the tools and techniques of their field by participating at http://www.scienceboard.net. The Science Advisory Board was organized in 1997 by BioInformatics, LLC (http://www.gene2drug.com), a research and consulting firm located in Arlington, VA.

CONTACT:
Dr. Tamara Zemlo
Director, Scientific & Medical Communications
The Science Advisory Board
2111 Wilson Blvd, Suite 250
Arlington, VA 22201
703.778.3080 x25 phone
t.zemlo@scienceboard.net
http://www.scienceboard.net

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For more information, please contact:
Kylin Harvey-McCardle
BioInformatics, LLC
2111 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 250
Arlington
VA
22201
USA

Telephone: 703.778.3080 x14
Fax: 703.778.3081
Web: www.gene2drug.com