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Aug. 19th, 2011
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Conflicts of Interest
Aug. 19th, 2011 11:04 pmSometimes I wonder if some people understand how conflicts of interest work.
If Professor Bloggs publishes a study saying that we should eat three slices of toast a day because this is the only way to avoid contracting the Dreaded Lurgy, and then it comes out that he's a highly-paid advisor for the Toast Marketing Board then, yes, we should give his results a cynical glance.
If Professor Bloggs publishes a study saying that we should eat three slices of toast a day because this is the only way to avoid contracting the Dreaded Lurgy, and then it comes out that he's donating money to the Toast For All Charitable Fund, then I'm somewhat less shocked. In fact, if he genuinely believes his results, I would look askance at him if he didn't.
(No, I don't have specific examples in mind right at this minute, but I know I've seen them.)
If Professor Bloggs publishes a study saying that we should eat three slices of toast a day because this is the only way to avoid contracting the Dreaded Lurgy, and then it comes out that he's a highly-paid advisor for the Toast Marketing Board then, yes, we should give his results a cynical glance.
If Professor Bloggs publishes a study saying that we should eat three slices of toast a day because this is the only way to avoid contracting the Dreaded Lurgy, and then it comes out that he's donating money to the Toast For All Charitable Fund, then I'm somewhat less shocked. In fact, if he genuinely believes his results, I would look askance at him if he didn't.
(No, I don't have specific examples in mind right at this minute, but I know I've seen them.)