Ethical issues relating to the conduct and interpretation of epidemiologic research in private industry

This paper identifies the parties to which epidemiologists are obligated and explores the areas in which potential conflicts of obligations can occur. It is concluded that all epidemiologists, regardless of the organizational context in which they operate, share similar obligations to their subjects, society, their employer or funding agency, and their colleagues. The fundamental principals inherent to an epidemiologist's obligation to protect the public health is to identify real health problems and promote their resolution. It is in everyone's interest, including private industry, to respect those principals, and an industry supported epidemiology program can be an effective means for accomplishing that. These programs can be innovatively designed to protect those fundamental principles and thereby avoid conflicts of interest. This is illustrated with some examples from the epidemiology program operated at The Dow Chemical Company.