Whistleblowing and scientific misconduct: renewing legal and virtue ethics foundations

Date

2007

Authors

Jefferys, Susannah
Faunce, Thomas

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Yozmot Heiliger Ltd

Abstract

Whistleblowing in relation to scientific research misconduct, despite the benefits of increased transparency and accountability it often has brought to society and the discipline of science itself, remains generally regarded as a pariah activity by many of the most influential relevant organizations. The motivations of whistleblowers and those supporting them continued to be questioned and their actions criticised by colleagues and management, despite statutory protections for reasonable disclosures appropriately made in good faith and for the public interest. One reason for this paradoxical position, explored here, is that whistle blowing concerning scientific misconduct lacks the policy support customarily derived from firm bioethical and jurisprudential foundations. Recommendations are made for altering this situation in the public interest.

Description

Keywords

Keywords: article; bioethics; human rights; jurisprudence; law; legal aspect; motivation; policy; research ethics; scientific misconduct; Bioethics; Human Rights; Humans; Organizational Policy; Scientific Misconduct; United Nations; United States; Whistleblowing Bioethics; Conscience; Corporate globalisation; Human rights; Research ethics; Scientific misconduct; Virtue ethics; Whistleblowers

Citation

Source

Medicine and Law: an international journal

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

DOI

Restricted until

2037-12-31