The world’s poster child for academic conflict of interest will soon arrive on your shores to grant his blessing to your new research center! You went right to the very top – the US of A’s own Charles Nemeroff – for the inaugural lecture. Perennial object of United States Senate interest because of his fascinating use of taxpayer money, Nemeroff promises to bring to you Brits, as you set out on your own research programs, the same … fascinating ethos he has brought to his own… peripatetic career.
As an American, I can’t hide my pride in the way England, once our ruler, has now summoned one of us for inspiration and advice on how best to pursue scientific endeavors.
Naturally, given Nemeroff’s record, there are nay-sayers at your institute.
Derek Summerfield, honorary senior lecturer at the Institute, wrote in the BMJ, formerly called the British Medical Journal, last week that the Institute of Psychiatry’s lauding of Professor [Charles] Nemeroff as “one of the world’s leading experts” showed how psychiatric academe “sails blithely on as if such revelations beg no broader questions about its associations and supposed scientific independence.”
Yes, sail blithely on! You have much to learn from Charles Nemeroff about grantsmanship. Good show!
June 11th, 2013 at 7:15PM
From the Institute of Psychiatry statement: “We have been informed by Professor Nemeroff that he will not be presenting any research that was funded by commercial companies or affected by commercial implications. Obviously, he will be declaring any relevant conflicts of interest prior to his lecture.”
Shit has its own integrity.
June 11th, 2013 at 7:39PM
Barney: Yes, I found that disclaimer very comforting.
June 11th, 2013 at 8:42PM
Bringing new meaning to the phrase “beyond the fringe”…