平特五不中

On April 4, 2012, I communicated the steps the Faculty of Medicine was taking in response to allegations relating to 平特五不中 Prof. J. Corbett McDonald鈥檚 research on asbestos. Following a preliminary review, I requested additional guidance from 平特五不中鈥檚 Research Integrity Officer (RIO), Prof. Abe Fuks, under Section 4.2 of 平特五不中鈥檚 Regulations Concerning Investigation of Research Misconduct. I have received the RIOS鈥檚 report and recommendations, which I am sharing with you, as well as 平特五不中鈥檚 Board of Governors, Senate, media and general public, today.

平特五不中鈥檚 RIO has found no evidence to support allegations of research misconduct leveled against Prof. John Corbett McDonald in connection with his work on the health effects of asbestos. 听The report by Prof. Fuks, the result of an extensive analysis, concludes that there is no warrant to initiating further investigation into the allegations against McDonald, who retired from 平特五不中 in the late 1980s. I, therefore, will request no further investigation.

In the report, Prof. Fuks states that Prof. McDonald properly acknowledged financial support from the asbestos industry in his publications -- the earliest of which date from the 1960s -- and that there is no evidence to suggest that the sponsors influenced the data analyses or the conclusions. McDonald and his research team demonstrated clearly that all forms of asbestos increase the risk of lung cancer; these findings 鈥渉ave been replicated by other groups,鈥� and 鈥渢heir robustness has endured many critical analyses and legal inquiries,鈥� the report concludes.

In his report, Prof. Fuks also concludes that his review of relevant information 鈥渓ends no credence鈥� to allegations that 平特五不中 colluded with the asbestos industry in promoting the use of asbestos.听

I thank Dr. Fuks for his careful review of this past research, and for his recommendations for addressing questions and concerns that have arisen,鈥� said Dr. Eidelman. 鈥淎s an immediate response, the 平特五不中 Faculty of Medicine will move forward on the RIO鈥檚 recommendation to organize an academic conference on safe alternatives to asbestos, particularly in the developing world, and related topics of public interest. It is our role, as a University, to promote discussion and debate on issues raised by current events so as to ensure that new knowledge continues to be generated.听

The RIO鈥檚 full report can be found at:

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