Research Integrity and the Social Responsibility of Scientists

Abstract

This paper deals with research integrity in view of the social responsibility of scientists, although MEXT (the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, Culture and Sports) deals with research integrity in terms of institutional control and management. First, citing the Encyclopedia of Science, Technology and Ethics, I review three phases in understanding the responsibility of scientists after World War II; recognizing responsibility through the case of atomic power, questioning responsibility, and reemphasizing ethics. I then summarize three aspects of the social responsibility of scientists; responsible conduct, responsible products, and responsiveness to public inquiries. After that, using the example of the Prof. Hwang scandal, it is shown that the role of the scientific journal review system expected by the public is not the same as that expected by researchers. Among researchers, the review process is based on an unspoken trust that reported results are true: on the other hand, the public expect the review system to function as a 'gatekeeper' which filters out error. What counts as error differs, however, according to what counts as evidence in specific fields; therefore, definitions of misconduct are different from field to field. Finally, I will show that research integrity should not be enforced by law or sanction but should also respect the “autonomy of communities.”