Ethical Issues in Biomedical Publication

"The authors have assembled an outstanding group of scientists with experience in their fields of expertise. The book is highly recommended for those intending to undertake clinical trials or similar research, as well as for those presently engaged in this field, as a refresher course in medical ethics."

"This book discusses such ethical issues in publication as authorship, peer review, and repetitive publication; it emphasizes the conflicts of interest that can compromise good authorship and reviewing practices; and it highlights the challenges that electronic publication is presenting to our ideas of ethical publication practices. I only wish that this book had been available when I began my editorial work, if not when I began my research career."

"This rich collection provides practical help to those of us who work with scientists and physicians who do research and then write it up for publication. Almost every chapter enlightens with strong, new ideas. Patients, universities, the courts, and the medical profession will certainly be better off if the information in this volume is absorbed and put into practice."

"While peer review, authorship and conflicts of interest are mainstays of ethical discussion about science, the role of publication has not been fully examined before this provocative book."

"Science does not exist until it is published. Editors of medical journals, trying to ensure fair play as researchers compete for space in their journals, frequently encounter ethical problems, typically with authorship, peer review, and conflicts of interest and, occasionally, they find scientific misconduct. The experience of editors reflects the sometimes awkward relationships between authors, reviewers and editors, and the high stakes attached to publication. Ethical Issues in Biomedical Publication succeeds in being at the same time a rich survey of the field, a valuable source book for editors and researchers, and a useful guide to dealing with these difficult issues. The strength of this book is not merely that it tackles so many difficult issues in such illuminating ways, but it does so by allowing its distinguished authors the space to make their arguments and show us their important insights."

"A very thorough discussion of the various legal and administative solutions... The book is well-written, has case material and examples enough to make reading vicariously pleasurable."

"Jones and McLellan have performed an invaluable service in drawing together these important essays. The issues surrounding the ethics of biomedical publication have never been more pressing than they are today in a world of corporate support, pressures to make news, and the presence of the Internet allowing nearly instant communication. Up until now there has been little for those concerned about the ethics of publication to utilize. This book changes that situation and changes it much for the better."