AAAS probes penalty for scientific fraud

"I do not think that it is a bad thing for persons who intentionally fabricate research data, and lie about their research data, to be told in no uncertain terms that this is wrong, not just in terms of some scientific ideal, but rather criminally wrong. It is fraud, just like embezzling money." This sentiment, expressed by Harold Edgar of Columbia University, was the focus of considerable discussion at a symposium on misconduct in science and the criminal law at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in New Orleans last month. Edgar is professor of law, science and technology, at Columbia's law school. Although Edgar's line of thinking raises the specter of the heavyhanded involvement of criminal prosecutors in the practice of science, he received some support for his contention that scientists who commit fraud should be severely punished. For instance, Science editor Daniel E. Koshland Jr. stated that ...