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International - Activity
Medical Research Council in England Establishes Misconduct Procedures
Volume 6, No. 4, September 1998
The Medical Research Council (MRC), the major source of support
for biomedical research in England, adopted a policy and procedure
for inquiring into allegations of scientific misconduct in December
1997 that applies to all employees, students, visiting researchers
and fellows working within its establishments and teams.
The MRC policy and procedures are quite similar to the ORI policy
and procedures. The similarities include three processing stages:
preliminary action, assessment, and formal investigation; sequestration
of data, notification to respondent, right to representation for
respondent, maintenance of confidentiality, using appropriate expertise,
guarding against conflicts-of-interest, challenge to committee members
by respondent, preparation of written reports, comments on reports
by respondent, imposition of sanctions when misconduct is found,
protection of whistleblowers against retaliation, the restoration
of reputations for exonerated individuals, interim administrative
actions to protect other employees and research subjects, and right
to appeal.
But there are notable differences. MRC defines scientific misconduct
as "fabrication, falsification, plagiarism or deception in
proposing, carrying out or reporting results of research and deliberate,
dangerous or negligent deviations from accepted practices in carrying
out research. It includes failure to follow established protocols
if this failure results in unreasonable risk or harm to humans,
other vertebrates or the environment and facilitating of misconduct
in research by collusion in, or concealment of, such actions by
others." Also, a respondent will "have access to all material
relevant to the allegation and its consideration at assessment,
investigation and appeal stages."
The MRC will pursue disciplinary action against individuals who
do not make an allegation in good faith, that is, who "recklessly
disregard evidence that disproves an allegation." In addition,
the MRC "will take action against individuals who victimize
complainants" or witnesses.
The appeal process should begin within 20 calendar days after receipt
of an appeal of the finding and/or sanctions by the respondent and
be completed within 90 calendar days. The appeal "normally
will include examination of all documentation called into question
by the respondent." In addition, the respondent can provide
oral evidence or submit relevant supplementary material.
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