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Epi Wit & Wisdom Articles
Colleague Urging Adoption of a
Code of Ethical Conduct
Should epidemiologists adopt a
code of ethical conduct? Yes, argues Colin Soskolne, Director of the
Ontario Cancer Foundation’s Epidemiology Research Unit, in a paper
presented before the International Epidemiological Association last
August and in a manuscript to be published this June in the Journal of
Public Health Policy.
Need
The need for a code of ethical
conduct was impressed upon Dr. Soskolne when his doctoral dissertation
research which was supported by a large corporation became the subject
of a critique by a team of highly respected epidemiologists. The
epidemiologists were hired by the corporation and ultimately produced
what Dr. Soskolne considered to be an unbalanced review which served
to cast doubt on the scientific merit of the work. He won the SER
student prize for the work in 1983.
Consultant Review
Prompted by this experience, Dr.
Soskolne has investigated the potential for misuse of the “consultant
review” process by governments, corporations, unions and others with
substantial financial resources. He cites examples where consultant
epidemiologists have emphasized “potential” weaknesses or biases in
studies rather than discussing the whole weight of the evidence in
presenting their critical reviews. He quotes remarks made by
University of Pennsylvania epidemiologist and former SER President
Paul Stolley at the 1983 SER meeting in Winnipeg in support of his
observations. Citing the toxic shock syndrome association with
tampons, investigators working independently or hired by the company
“began a kind of ‘witch hunt’ for alleged bias and confounding in
order to challenge these findings,” says Soskolne. He cites numerous
other examples and asks “how do epidemiologists respond when called
upon to serve as consultants, and through the carrot of financial
support, are directed to critique or ‘kill’ a scientific manuscript?”
Published January 1985 v
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