VY L5

Question 1

Learning Outcomes

Answer 1

• ‘code of ethic conduct’

- ethical issues assoc w the use of animals in scientific research

Question 2

What are the 3 core values that all scientists should embrace?

Answer 2

• make interesting observations/ discoveries
• to find out the info that can help to elucidate the mechanistic understanding of observations
• to gain understanding of broader principle on scientific logics through gaining mechanistic understanding of observations

Question 3

What are the ways to gross manipulate blots?

Answer 3

1. deleting of adding selective data to a blot
2. Duplicated panel
3. Brightness and contrast adjustments on selected data
4. Cleaning up the background (use ‘rubber stamp’ function in photoshop to cover up/blend the image)

Question 4

What are some ways of misrepresenting data?

Answer 4

1. Putting images together/ overlap each other
   - -> manipulation revealed by contrast adjustment
2. Immunogold data: Intensifying the signals
   - -> instead, use arrows to point at the signals; dont colour on the signals

Question 5

Is it easy to find someone who is cheating?

Answer 5

no, the scale of the problem (entire study or data set fabricated) is difficult to be assessed accurately because

• problems reported mostly for studies published in top journals
• cheating is difficult to be detected (esp in subset data panel)
• no one would want to be the ‘whistle blower’

Question 6

As the % of honest error (careless mistake, unintended error) increases, the % misconduct (fabrication/falsification, self-plagiarism, plagiarism) _________

The % of retraction of articles are ________

Answer 6

increases too

increasing as well

Question 7

What are the damages caused by scientific misconduct?

Answer 7

• erosion of trust
• affect progress of other scientists in the field
• lowering productivity of scientific research as more research funds used to monitor and enforce research integrity and to investigate misconduct cases

Question 8

The Animal Liberation Front (ALF) can be considered as an _______ group

Answer 8

‘extremist’ group

Question 9

What is the motto of PETA?

Answer 9

Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment

Question 10

Which organisation is the major voice in promoting public understanding of the ethics and values of animal research?

Answer 10

Foundation for Biomedical Research

FBR

Question 11

What is the mission statement of FBR?

Answer 11

educate public about essential role of humane animal research in the quest for medical advancements, treatments, and cures for both humans and animals

Question 12

How animal research saves lives?

Answer 12

The survival rates for many other major diseases are at an all-time high. Thanks to the discovery of powerful new drugs, the development of new surgical procedures, and the design of sophisticated medical devices

Question 13

How are animal research facilities constructed?

Answer 13

• these are advanced animal facilities (SPF: specific pathogen free)
• high standard in hygiene, husbandry and animal care procedures are being practiced

Question 14

What is the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)?

Answer 14

• enforce high standard of care for animals in research
• detailed research protocols involving use of animals to be evaluated and approved by IACUC before
  research can be initiated.
• Approved protocols would require periodic review
• access to animals by research staffs will only be granted after successful completion of specific courses in animal care organised by IACUC

Question 15

What are some NUS websites? KIV

Answer 15

• NUS research integrity code
• NUS-IRB (human research subjects)
• NUS IACUC (animal care)