Question 1

The Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 _____.

Accepted Answer

The Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 allowed universities, small businesses, and non-profit organizations to retain patent rights to inventions developed under federally funded research programs, thereby encouraging the commercialization of innovations.

Question 2

Washburn describes how universities are "aggressively striving to become research arms of private industry" . Do you agree or disagree that this is an inappropriate role for higher education? Explain.

Accepted Answer

I agree that universities should not be solely focused on becoming research arms of private industry. While collaboration with industry can be beneficial for both parties, the primary role of higher education institutions should be to educate and foster critical thinking, not to serve the interests of private companies. Universities have a responsibility to pursue knowledge for the public good and to prioritize academic freedom and independent research. When universities become too closely aligned with private industry, there is a risk of compromising the integrity of research and prioritizing profit over the pursuit of truth. Additionally, this can create conflicts of interest and limit the diversity of research topics and perspectives. Therefore, while collaboration with industry can be valuable, it should not be the primary focus of higher education institutions.

Question 3

In your opinion, if university scientists lose their independence, who will perform research on new drugs and objectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of drugs that are already on the market?

Accepted Answer

If university scientists were to lose their independence, it would be a significant loss for the scientific community and society as a whole. Without independent university scientists, the responsibility of researching new drugs and objectively evaluating the safety and effectiveness of drugs on the market would likely fall to pharmaceutical companies and government agencies.

However, this shift would raise concerns about conflicts of interest and biased research. Pharmaceutical companies may prioritize profits over public health, leading to potential risks and side effects being overlooked or downplayed. Government agencies, while important for regulation and oversight, may not have the same level of expertise and resources as independent university scientists.

Ultimately, the loss of independence among university scientists would create a void in unbiased and rigorous drug research and evaluation. It is crucial for the scientific community to maintain its independence in order to ensure the safety and effectiveness of drugs for the public.

Question 4

In your opinion, is it appropriate for publicly-funded scientists to have financial interests in their research? Explain, using examples from the reading.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In your opinion, is it appropriate for...

Question 5

The pharmaceutical industry attempts to quickly disseminate the methods and results of industry- sponsored research conducted by university scientists so that other researchers may attempt to validate the findings.

Accepted Answer

The pharmaceutical industry often restricts the dissemination of methods and results of industry-sponsored research to protect proprietary information, patents, and competitive advantage, which can limit external validation efforts by other researchers.

Question 6

How did universities react to the federal government's imposition of tougher conflict-of-interest regulations in response to increasing public dismay over the growing financial entanglements in clinical research?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How did universities react to the federal...

Question 7

A 2000 investigation by USA Today found that____ of experts hired to advise the U.S. government on the safety and effectiveness of drugs had financial ties to companies that would be affected by their conclusions.

Accepted Answer

1/2 of experts hired to advise the U.S. government on the safety and effectiveness of drugs had financial ties to companies that would be affected by their conclusions.

Question 8

10Several studies conducted during the past decade have found that when research is sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry, the accompanying reports are significantly more likely to reach conclusions that are favorable to the sponsor of the research.

Accepted Answer

Numerous studies have shown that research funded by the pharmaceutical industry is more likely to produce results favorable to the sponsor, likely due to financial interests and biases in study design, data interpretation, and publication strategies.

Question 9

According to Washburn, _____is/are to blame for the eroding objectivity of university research.

Accepted Answer

Washburn argues that the pharmaceutical industry, universities, and professors all contribute to the eroding objectivity of university research, indicating a systemic issue rather than the fault of a single entity.

Question 10

Pharmaceutical companies frequently conceive and design research studies that are then conducted by academic institutions or for-profit subcontractors.

Accepted Answer

Pharmaceutical companies often design research studies to test the efficacy and safety of their drugs, which are then executed by academic institutions or for-profit subcontractors to ensure objectivity and to leverage specialized expertise.

Question 11

The pharmaceutical industry encourages the use of ghost writers on scientific papers. Prominent academics are then sought as "authors" to attach their names to the articles.

Accepted Answer

The practice of using ghostwriters in the pharmaceutical industry is known, where ghostwriters prepare articles that are then attributed to prominent academics, enhancing the credibility and acceptance of the research, especially when related to new drugs or treatments. This raises ethical concerns about transparency and the integrity of scientific publications.

Question 12

Which of the following describes the 1995 rules imposed by the federal government that would apply to all academic researchers funded by the Department of Health and Human Services DHHS) or the National Science Foundation NSF)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following describes the 1995...

Question 13

The pharmaceutical industry manipulates academic research by suppressing studies.

Accepted Answer

The pharmaceutical industry has been documented to influence academic research by selectively publishing positive results while suppressing or not publishing negative outcomes, which can skew the scientific literature and affect treatment decisions.

Quiz 36: Jennifer Washburn, Hired Education