Abstract
Fraud means to cheat or falsify research data. Plagiarism is using another’s data without obtaining permission. Research misconduct is now defined as falsification, fabrication and plagiarism in performing or reporting research results. Discrepancy means a non intentional error in performing or reporting research results. In oncology, four major misconducts have been reported. Dr Poisson falsified data concerning patients included in NASBP trials. Dr Herrmann and Dr Brach manipulated graphics and tables in their publications. Dr Bezwoda did not present patients’ consent for trials enrolment and there were important protocol deviations in treatments given. Dr Sudbo fabricated data for 900 patients in an epidemiological study. In very special cases, limits between discrepancy and fraud can be hard especially if the basic data are no more available. Misconducts have deleterious effects on Sciences, upon lay public with lost of confidence and bring shame on institutions where the misconduct took place. Frequency of misconducts in oncology is unknown. In sciences, the prevalence range between 2 to 5%. Watchfull of coauthors and institutions is away to prevent fraud. Education of young scientist to avoid plagiarism or fraud is done in some institutions. Some countries have establish Office of Research Integrity (ORI) which task is to develop procedures and regulations related to the detection of misconduct and to investigate some misconducts. The development of whistle-blowers to find misconduct is encouraged by some institutions, but this policy can go back against whistleblowers which careers can be ruined. Scientist who behaves badly has not an abnormal personality. More often there are circumstances where scientists want more grants or a better position.
Résumé
La fraude qui correspond à une intention délibérée d’altérer les données englobe aussi le plagiat. Fraude et plagiat sont souvent regroupés sous le terme d’inconduite scientifique. Cette inconduite se différencie de l’erreur commise sans mauvaise intention et des biais qui correspondent à une erreur dans le recrutement ou l’interprétation des données. En cancérologie, quatre fraudes ont eu des retentissements importants. Le Dr Poisson a falsifié des données concernant ses patientes incluses dans des essais du NSABP. Les Drs Hermann et Brach ont été accusés de manipulation de graphiques et de tableaux. Le Dr Bezwoda n’a pas recueilli le consentement de ses malades et il a, entre autres, appliqué des protocoles de chimiothérapie différents de ceux qu’il avait publiés. Le Dr Sudbo est allé jusqu’à inventer des patients dans une étude épidémiologique. La prescription de médecines alternatives non prouvées censées guérir le cancer est considérée comme une inconduite scientifique. Les limites entre erreur et fraude ne sont pas toujours claires. Les conséquences sont désastreuses pour le progrès scientifique, pour le grand public qui perd confiance et pour l’institution qui a couvert la recherche. La fréquence de la fraude en cancérologie est difficile à estimer compte tenu de sa rareté relative. En sciences, elle est estimée de 2 à 5 %. La prévention de la fraude nécessite des mises en garde et la vigilance des coauteurs ainsi que celle des institutions universitaires et hospitalières dont la responsabilité est engagée. Certains pays comme les États-Unis ont mis en place une institution ou une délégation spécialisée qui analyse les suspicions de fraudes et rend son verdict sur la réalité de la fraude et ses conséquences. L’incitation à la délation est encouragée par certains, il n’est pas sûr qu’elle soit efficace. Il ne semble pas que les fraudeurs présentent une personnalité particulière, la plupart recherchent la reconnaissance de leurs pairs pour obtenir postes et crédits.
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Schraub, S., Ben Ayed, F. La fraude en cancérologie. Oncologie 12, 675–681 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10269-010-1960-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10269-010-1960-1