A last call for self-regulation of biomedical research

The indecisive response of the academic community to well-publicized cases of research fraud or serious misconduct has been characterized as a failure of self-regulation. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report on the Responsible Conduct of Research suggests measures for improving the research environment, by a combination of more explicit definition of standards of acceptable research practices, appointment of individuals to promote research standards and to respond to charges or complaints, improvement of supervision of research trainee, teaching of research ethics as well as technical skills, and reduction of the pressure to publish. The National Institutes of Health was asked to ensure that research institutions take such actions by requiring assurances as a condition of research funding. This essay discusses the recommendations and implications of the IOM report.