2005 Ethics Event Archive

Dealing with Scientific Uncertainty in Policymaking
April 8, 2005, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Pelton Auditorium, Roger A. Pielke, Jr., Professor in the Environmental Studies Program and a Fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Environmental Sciences (CIRES). Uncertainty is ever present in decision making. But even as scientists typically have sophisticated understandings of uncertainty itself, such understandings are infrequently accompanied by a corresponding sophistication in decision making in the face of uncertainty. This talk will discuss a range of experiences in dealing with scientific uncertainty in policymaking to suggest how the scientific community might more effectively contribute useful guidance on important policy issues characterized by fundamental uncertainties.

The Mentoring Relationship
April 27, 2005, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Pelton Auditorium. A panel discussion on best practices in mentoring led by Center Ombudsperson Dr. Nancy Haigwood with faculty panelists, Dr. Barb Trask, Dr. Effie Petersdorf, Dr. Barry Stoddard, and Dr. Alan Kristal.

Spring 2005 Case Study Discussion Groups

Data Ownership, Wednesday, April 13, Noon to 1:30 p.m.,
Leader: Dr. Gerald Smith

Mentoring/Peer Review, Monday, April 18,1:30 to 3:00 p.m.,
Leader: Dr. Jonathan Cooper

Mentoring/Peer Review, Wednesday, April 20, Noon to 1:30 p.m.,
Leader: Dr. Maxine Linial

Human Subjects, Tuesday, April 26, Noon to 1:30 p.m.,
Leader: Dr. Ann E. Woolfrey

Mentoring/Peer Review, Tuesday, May 3, Noon to 1:30 p.m.,
Leader: Dr. Katie Peichel

Peer Review, Wednesday, May 4, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Leader: Dr. Nina Salama

Mentoring/Peer Review, Thursday May 12, Noon to 1:30 p.m.,
Leader: Dr. Stephen Schwartz

2005 Biomedical Research Integrity Series FHCRC Lectures

My Brother's Keeper? Thoughts on the Challenges of Research Collaboration
Wednesday, June 29, 2005, 2:00 p.m. Pelton Auditorium, Howard Gadlin, Ph.D., Ombudsman, National Institutes of Health
Developing and sustaining scientific collaborations is often a challenge. Dr. Gadlin discusses strategies and best practices for improving communication and resolving conflict among researchers including anticipatory conflict resolution and managing cultural differences.

Accountability and Leading Edge Biotechnology: The Ethics of Creating Stem Cell Donors
Thursday, July 14, 2005, 2:00 p.m. Pelton Auditorium, Jeffrey Kahn, Ph.D., M.P.H, Director and Maas Family Chair in Bioethics; Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School
This presentation discusses a case at the University of Minnesota in which a couple used a combination of reproductive, genetic and stem cell technologies to create an umbilical cord blood donor for their sick child. In addition to the ethical and policy issues raised by the case, the presentation raises questions about accountability in research and clinical medicine when new and existing biotechnologies are used separately and together.

The Societal Responsibilities Of Science
Thursday, August 11, 2005, 2:00 p.m. Pelton Auditorium, Maynard Olson, Ph.D., Professor of Genome Sciences and of Medicine, University of Washington
Much of the public's perception of science comes from exposure to scientists who are asked to comment on their own work to the press, become advocates for public policy positions or participate on advisory committees. This talk is a perspective on the rewards and perils of engaging the public as a scientist and some thoughts about how to do so responsibly.

Everyday Conflicts: Moving beyond Financial Interests
Thursday, August 25, 2005, 2:00 p.m. Pelton Auditorium, Wylie Burke, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Medical History & Ethics Adjunct Professor, Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, Associate Member, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Researchers' financial conflicts of interest have attracted considerable regulatory concern, but other conflicts may occur more commonly. Many competing motivations influence the research process. The need to get studies done, publications out, and grants written can all push judgments in ways that may threaten integrity. Decisions about authorship and data ownership within research teams can also lead to conflict. This talk will address everyday conflicts in research and suggest strategies for managing them to maintain research integrity.

2005 BRI Series FHCRC Case Study Discussion Groups

Collaborative Science, Thursday, July 7, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Faculty leader: Polly Newcomb, Public Health Sciences Division

Collaborative Science, Tuesday, July 12, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Faculty leader: Sue Biggins, Basic Sciences Division

Research Misconduct, Tuesday, July 19, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Faculty leader: Beverly Torok-Storb, Clinical Research Division

Collaborative Science, Tuesday, July 26, noon to 1:00 p.m.
Faculty leader: Nelli Ulrich, Public Health Sciences Division

Research Misconduct, Wednesday, August 3, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Faculty leader: Ulrike Peters, Public Health Sciences Division

Conflict of Interest, Tuesday, August 16, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Faculty leader: Barb Trask, Human Biology Division

Fall Lecture

Technology Transfer: Moving Research from the Bench to the Bedside
December 7, 2005, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Pelton Auditorium, Spencer Lemons, V.P. of Industry Relations and Technology Transfer at FHCRC.
From its beginnings with the licensing of Vitamin D for use in milk in 1924 by the University of Wisconsin, technology transfer has evolved dynamically leading to the creation of Netscape, Google, and Rosetta Inpharmatics, the development of Gatorade, Taxol, Mylotarg and Tysabri, and the origination of the field of biotechnology with the licensing of the Cohen-Boyer patents on genetic engineering. This lecture will touch briefly on the roots of tech transfer and then explore in depth the mission of tech transfer and the challenges of commercializing early-stage university technologies while supporting and maintaining an academic research culture.