Observers Say Fisher Case Highlights Flaws In System

GREAT EXPENSE: Pittsburgh’s Bernard Fisher says that the government’s misconduct investigation against him cost too much. As renowned University of Pittsburgh cancer surgeon Bernard Fisher regroups after being cleared of misconduct in a highly publicized case, many observers are viewing the affair as a warning that the scientific community and the public need better ways of monitoring research activities. Fisher, cleared earlier this month of any wrongdoing, has filed a lawsuit ag

Written bySteven Benowitz

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GREAT EXPENSE: Pittsburgh’s Bernard Fisher says that the government’s misconduct investigation against him cost too much.

As renowned University of Pittsburgh cancer surgeon Bernard Fisher regroups after being cleared of misconduct in a highly publicized case, many observers are viewing the affair as a warning that the scientific community and the public need better ways of monitoring research activities.

Fisher, cleared earlier this month of any wrongdoing, has filed a lawsuit against the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), and the University of Pittsburgh. In his suit, he alleges his First Amendment rights were breached in the handling of the investigation and that he was denied due process under the law. He also contends that patients had to deal with undue concerns raised by an inaccurate portrayal of scientific research by legislators and the media. He wants to "make sure this ...

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