Recorded presentation

Rhonda Love, PhD and Allison Hudgins, LLB, LLM. Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, 12 Queen's Park Crescent West, Toronto, ON M5S1A8, Canada, 416-978-7514, rhonda.love@utoronto.ca

Using examples from illustrious cases such as that of Dr. Nancy Olivieri -- threatened with lawsuits from a pharmaceutical company because she disclosed to her patients her concerns about a drug she was using in their treatment-- and Dr. David Healey-- thrown into public controversy after he gave a public talk critical of pharmaceutical companies-- the presenters will discuss research ethics, academic freedom and the public trust. It is the view of the presenters that only strong protections of academic freedom will ensure that research ethics can be respected and the public can be protected. Threats to academic freedom abound in universities, much as a result of under-funding of universities and the subsequent increased reliance of universities and researchers on corporate funding of research. It is possible that many institutions were not aware of the weakness of their policies protecting researchers’ freedom of expression but now they must develop the required protections for researchers so that the health of the public is protected. Just as institutions may have been naïve, individual researchers are often unaware of just how quickly disputes and conflicts of interest arise that leave them vulnerable and put the public at risk. Using examples from University contracts, the presenters will illustrate what kinds of protections are needed for researchers in terms of policies and contracts. Comparisons between the United States and Canada will be made to provide an international context and to illustrate some of the complexities in protecting the public interest in research.

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