Fixing Psychiatric Research At A University

Over the past few years, University of Minnesota bioethicist Carl Elliott has explored a complicated and increasingly controversial episode over a clinical trial and a suicide. The saga has involved researchers at his own university, a major drugmaker, allegations of misconduct, a lawsuit and various investigations. But answers to questions continue to raise more questions, so he has initiated an online petition asking the Minnesota governor to probe his employer. He explains why…

The University of Minnesota has turned me into an activist against it. Let me confess right away that this is not a role for which I am naturally suited. I have never staged a protest or addressed a rally. Nor have I ever marched with a sign. On the occasions when I am required to give public lectures, I sweat nervously and display an embarrassing tendency to pause in mid-sentence for uncomfortably long periods. But even I can work up a pretty good head of anger when I see cruelty or injustice, and this is especially true when the injustice is deliberately inflicted and the victim cannot...