Not Your Father's Ethics
Identifying and Combatting Inappropriate Laboratory Practices
Oral Presentation
Prepared by D. Shepperd
ddms, inc., 2014 Carol Drive, Wilmington, DE, 19808, United States
Contact Information: dshepperd@ddmsinc.com; 302-233-5274
ABSTRACT
Do we need to take a new look at ethics and integrity? We know what the words mean. But do they mean the same thing to everyone who hears them? Is every issue just black and white, or are there gray areas, where confusion may enter into the decision-making process. Has our focus shifted and, if it has, how should we address it?
We use words like improper practices, manipulation, manual intervention to identify excursions from our policies. And we attribute lapses to rogue operators, inadequate training, ineffective quality management systems, undue pressure, unvalidated systems and processes, and even just sloppy work. These may be actions that are not intentional efforts to deceive. They may be any of these, or a combination of some or all of them. But sometimes they are purposeful and intentional actions that may truly be fraud. And if we think that all of this is passee because of new technology and better tracking, we should think again. This presentation will facilitate discussion on issues that may affect changes to today’s understanding of ethics and integrity in the laboratory.
Identifying and Combatting Inappropriate Laboratory Practices
Oral Presentation
Prepared by D. Shepperd
ddms, inc., 2014 Carol Drive, Wilmington, DE, 19808, United States
Contact Information: dshepperd@ddmsinc.com; 302-233-5274
ABSTRACT
Do we need to take a new look at ethics and integrity? We know what the words mean. But do they mean the same thing to everyone who hears them? Is every issue just black and white, or are there gray areas, where confusion may enter into the decision-making process. Has our focus shifted and, if it has, how should we address it?
We use words like improper practices, manipulation, manual intervention to identify excursions from our policies. And we attribute lapses to rogue operators, inadequate training, ineffective quality management systems, undue pressure, unvalidated systems and processes, and even just sloppy work. These may be actions that are not intentional efforts to deceive. They may be any of these, or a combination of some or all of them. But sometimes they are purposeful and intentional actions that may truly be fraud. And if we think that all of this is passee because of new technology and better tracking, we should think again. This presentation will facilitate discussion on issues that may affect changes to today’s understanding of ethics and integrity in the laboratory.
