What is Wrong with “Ethics for Sale”? An Analysis of the Many Issues That Complicate the Debate about Conflicts of Interests in Bioethics

Abstract

This article addresses all of the issues involved in the debate about whether or not bioethicists should be paid by private biomedical companies to perform consultations. These issues include the following: differentiation of this role from bioethicists' other roles, an analysis of to whom bioethicists owe a duty, consideration of what bioethicists are "selling," whether bioethicists should be allowed to get paid, when payment becomes problematic, and whether consulting fee arrangements should be regulated. The author often compares bioethicists' relationship to the companies to bioethicists' other relationships, as well as to professional relationships in other fields, such as law and accounting.

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“…As Sontag recently pointed out (Sontag 2007), there are often different expectations in terms of public interest depending on the role one plays. Public accountants have a duty to the public that creates a conflict of interest when the same individual has a financial stake in a company.…”

WhatIsMedical Ethics Consultation?

“…[B]ioethicists, once confined to the classroom and limited to abstract, philosophical discussions about right and wrong, now play an important role in the practical implementation of ethical boundaries. 69…”

Response to Open Peer Commentaries on “Strangers at the Beachside: Research Ethics Consultation”

“…Clarification of the nature of the role of the consultants may be critical to success. As Sontag recently pointed out (Sontag 2007), there are often different expectations in terms of public interest depending on the role one plays. Public accountants have a duty to the public that creates a conflict of interest when the same individual has a financial stake in a company.…”