Chief scientist's code of ethics deserves full support - Harris

11.23.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 12th Sep 2007

The Universal Code of Ethics for Scientists proposed today by Government Chief Scientist, Sir David King, has been backed by the Liberal Democrats.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Science Spokesperson, Dr Evan Harris MP said:

"The seven points in this code are part of what separates researchers from charlatans, medicine from quackery and science from supposition.

"It deserves the full support of the science world and policy-makers - from the UN down to university governing bodies and company boards.

"Other branches of modern life - such as business, marketing and even politics could do well to follow the sort of the rules which keeps science honest and accurate.

"Scientific fraud and research malpractice must be rooted out and prevented, not just because it is wrong in itself, but also because it is an insult to very nature of the scientific method."

However, Dr Harris, one of Parliament's leading advocates for science, sounded a word of caution about the code.

"The code implies a duty of scientists to listen to and talk with the public and pressure groups, but it is not fair to expect scientists to do unfunded public engagement work as a substitute for advocacy by Government and other stakeholders."