Interviews with nearly a dozen researchers whose, names have been linked to some of the best-known cases of fraud revealed that the practice of "gift authorship" has sidetracked academic careers, put federal research grants beyond reach and thrown into question other legitimate studies they have published. It has even limited their opportunities to practice medicine privately.
The young researchers appear to have been exploited in part because of their naiveté, which was as glaring as their eagerness to receive credit for published research. Although none has been accused of participating knowingly in the scientific misconduct, their careers have become clouded by the specter of dishonesty.
Jeffrey J. Brown, now 31, was a radiology fellow in the early 1980s when he came into contact with Robert A. Slutsky, a former member of the departments of medicine and radiology at the University of California at San Diego who last year was found ...
