Faculty Bibliography

Caplan discusses the controversy over the new cervical cancer vaccine. He asserts that the real reason for all the negative publicity is the vaccine's high price tag

The fact that this book is not widely acknowledged as the classic that it is, that it does not occupy pride of place in any listing of the bioethics 'canon' is a pity. Because not only is the book a paradigm of clear writing, careful sourcing and thoughtful use of legal documents and oral histories, it is the story of the single most important event in the rise of bioethics to prominence in the years since the book appeared in 1981

Conflicts of interest are known to create problems for the integrity of biomedical research. The editors of the JCI have set out a rigorous policy to help manage conflicts. But they focus only on financially generated conflicts. Here I identify other sources of conflict and offer some suggestions for their management.

All of this nonsense set the stage for the next big scare about cloning, which was fueled by the debate over federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Opponents of that funding found they got the greatest traction for their desire not to see federal funds spent by invoking the word "clone" over and over again. Funding embryonic stem cell research likely meant a pod person would move in next door, some high-profile Republican legislators as well as President Bush would lead you to believe

This article examines scientific testimony given during the past 25 years surrounding the issue of when life begins. Although the biological facts were presented clearly, the moral and philosophical issues proved to be problematic. Often those in government tried to use science to substantiate their own philosophical beliefs. Scientists need to present facts to society and to political leaders as clearly and as dispassionately as possible in order to continue to help the public understand complicated biological processes. Scientists also need to help ensure that science is not misused or misinterpreted to justify moral, theological, or philosophical beliefs.