A Japanese developmental biology center, scientific misconduct and suicide
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A Japanese developmental biology center, scientific misconduct and suicide
What is this about?
In 2014 in a stemcell research institute in Japan a research misconduct case came to light. The case was excessively covered by the media, with the media not only portraying the accused scientists as perpetrators, but criticizing the entire research centre. One of the members of the research centre committed suicide, causing upheaval in the Japanese research scene. As the case describes, the damage of the scientific misonconduct reaches far beyond the misconduct itself.
Why is this important?
Scientific misconduct cases should be dealt with carefully, with appropriate protections in place for those that did not commit the misconduct. The 'side effects' of misconduct, including reputational damage, should be minimized or restored when a person or institute has been inaccurately accsued of misconduct.
For whom is this important?
ResearchersEarly career researchersPhD studentsResearch performing organisationsResearch funding organisationsMedia
