Running head: BUSINESS RESEARCH ETHICS 1

Business Research Ethics

RES/351
March 11, 2014
James Bankston
BUSINESS RESEARCH ETHICS 2


Business Research Ethics



Business research is a key aspect to the longevity and profitability of any business. In the
Pharmaceutical industry profits and safety is the key ingredients to the purpose of the research.
Companies place a lot of trust in the individuals who conduct this research and rely on the results
to successfully launch a safe product. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA) is an industry watchdog that safeguards the population from the malicious
activities of a potential rogue researcher. The unethical choices taken by an individual within this
research organization can be fueled by greed or fame. This paper will examine the conviction of
Steven Eaton, who falsified research data, and the effects this conviction had.
Steven Eaton was found guilty of falsifying research date while working for a drug
development firm in Edinburgh. The research process, within the pharmaceutical industry, relies
on numerous tests to verify the safe results of a potential product before the product is able to
move to clinical trials on people. Without passing results on all pre-tests, new potential
pharmaceutical products will not make it to human trials. Eaton utilized the falsified data in order
to secure funding for the clinical trials on people. In 2009, Eatons bosses recognized serious
abnormalities in his work. This case was then referred to The Medicines and Healthcare Products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) who in turn launched an investigation. This investigation was done
to determine the extent of damage these abnormalities caused.
The actions of Steven Eaton to alter the test results in order to attain some form of gain is
unethical and directly places the health and safety of the public at risk. The investigation by the
MHRA found that Eaton had selectively reported research data going as far back as 2003. The
BUSINESS RESEARCH ETHICS 3


falsification ensured that even when a result was failing, Eaton would show the result had
passed. Eatons actions directly resulted in the injury to both the drug development firm and to
himself.
The MHRA in in place to regulate wrongdoing within the pharmaceutical business.
Records show that as of 2009 there have been only two investigations conducted involving the
falsification of research. Of the two investigations, only one has been convicted, the case of
Steven Eaton. The unethical behavior affects the organization in that it loses the trust of the
public. In the pharmaceutical world where most products are used by the public either external or
internal the loss of public opinion can mark the end of any company. The conviction also affects
the work the development firm has completed dating as far back as 2003. The health results due
to public consumption or use of a falsified product are unknown and potentially deadly. Watts
(n.d.), Learning to trust is one of life's most difficult tasks (). The consumers trust in the
foundation of pharmaceutical research is key to the basis in which this research operates.
Consumers want to know that there is oversight and strict guidelines to every possible product
that can be used or taken to alleviate an issue. With the lack of trust in this system comes the
waterfall effect of all research becoming void of trust. Departments such as MHRA were put in
place to convict and deter individuals from conducting an unethical practice.
The goal of ethics in research is to ensure that no one is harmed or suffers adverse
consequences from research activities (Cooper & Schindler, 2011, p. 32). The unethical
behavior could be avoided by ensuring the punishment for falsifying research was heavy enough
to create fear. Steven Eaton faced a penalty of fines and up to 3 months imprisonment. By
increasing the penalty for such unethical decisions, it will decrease the action. Placing a
systematic checks and balances for each research that would ensure both the researcher and
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director of research are both held responsible for the validity of the research being done. This
checks and balances would ensure fair practice and have a real time effect on thwarting a rouge
employees falsified research results.
Business research is key to the ever changing world and business environment.
Pharmaceutical businesses profits are reliant on the research that goes into the next ground
breaking drug or medication. These businesses are also equally reliant on the ethical practices of
their employees and the actions each employee takes.












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References
Cooper, D., & Schindler, P. (2011). Business Research Methods (11th ed.). Retrieved from The
University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.
McArdle, H. (2013, Mar 14). Scientist first to be convicted of fiddling research. The Herald.
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1316282832?accountid=458
Watts, I. (n.d.). Brainy Quote. Retrieved from
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/i/isaacwatts382026.html