Research Conflicts

Professors at both schools agree that the nature of research conducted at HMS justifies its more stringent standards, especially since clinical studies often have financial implications for outside companies.

Baird Professor of Science Gary J. Feldman, who is chair of the committee on professional conduct, says he sees two sets of concerns addressed by the HMS policy.

"One [concern] is over clinical trials, and that's something that's essentially absent at FAS," Feldman says. "Second, the size of the medical school makes it necessary to try to codify the conflict-of-interest policy."

FAS Dean for Research and Information Technology Paul C. Martin '52, who is also chair of the standing committee on research policy at FAS, says HMS' policy is designed to deal not only with faculty members, but many Harvard-affiliated hospital researchers as well.

"The medical school has to make its policies more mechanical because there are so many more people doing funded research than at FAS," Martin explains.

Peter M. Howley, chair of the HMS department of pathology, says HMS lab research is often supported by large corporations such as Smith-Kline Beecham or Glaxo Wellcome. Professors are often testing new treatments in which such firms have a vested interest.

Howley says he thinks conflict is most likely to arise in cases where a Faculty member leads research in a direction from which he or she could benefit financially or otherwise.