IMANISHI-KARI CASE (David Baltimore)
Summary: Margot O'Toole, a postdoctoral fellow working
in the laboratory of Thereza Imanishi-Kari, alleged that Imanishi-Kari
had falsified and possibly fabricated data. Over a period of ten years,
this case was reviewed by Tufts University, MIT, NIH, the Office of Scientific
Integrity (OSI), the U.S. Congress, the Office of Research Integrity (ORI),
and the Appeals Board of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
The final finding vindicated Imanishi-Kari of research misconduct, although
the Appeals Board concluded that "A degree of sloppiness in recording
and maintaining data certainly may warrant criticism of Dr. Imanishi-Kari's
care in recordkeeping."
· Research Integrity Adjudications Panel (DHHS Appeals Board)
· Final findings: June 21, 1996
http://www.hhs.gov/dab/decisions/dab1582.txt
GALLO CASE
Summary: Between 1983 and 1984, French scientists of
the Pasteur Institute and U.S. scientists independently reported discovery
of a viral cause for AIDS. Over the next five years, charges surfaced
that the lead U.S. scientist, Robert Gallo, may have misappropriated the
virus from the French laboratory. Based on those charges, Congressman
John Dingell initiated an investigation of the allegations. Gallo and
a senior colleague (Popovic) were initially found guilty of "minor
misconduct". Subsequent reports suggested that recordkeeping in the
Gallo laboratory was poor. By 1991, a preliminary report from the Office
of Scientific Integrity (OSI) noted evidence of misconduct by Gallo, but
a final report essentially held him responsible only for inadequate oversight
of work done under his leadership. By the end of 1992, the newly formed
Office of Research Integrity (ORI) found Gallo to be guilty of research
misconduct. In late 1993, the ORI dropped the allegations against Gallo
and Popovic because, based on "new standards," the evidence
was insufficient to prove their case. This highly publicized case brings
into question a number of issues including recordkeeping in research and
the process of handling allegations of research misconduct.
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