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Scientific Ethics 2(4): 109, 2007 |
COMMENTARY |
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http://im1.biz |
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© Truthfinding
Cyberpress |
ETHICS IN SCIENCE |
A Dark Day in Science
Shi
V. Liu
Truthfinding Cyberpress
Corresponding
with SVL8TFCP@im1.biz
(Received 2007-12-03;
accepted 2007-12-03;
published 2007-12-03*)
HIGHLIGHT
Against the world-wide
protest Marcus Wallenberg Foundation (MWF) still presented its prize to
unethical “scientist” Ove Nilsson. What
a dark day in science!
ABSTRACT
The primary reason for Ove
Nilsson to win the 2007 Marcus Wallenberg Prize (MWP) was the so-called
breakthrough discovery reported in Science
in 2005 but description on that important “discovery” was deleted from the
original award announcement after the retraction of that paper and the exposure
of Nilsson’s high-level misconduct. Now MWP
was still awarded by the Swedish King to Nilsson despite a global
denouncement. Interestingly, MWF has intentionally
disassociated Nilsson from Science in
its News coverage on the award ceremony.
But that cover-up will not erase people’s memory on what a scientist
Nilsson was and what the value the MWP has.
KEY WORDS
Nilsson, Science,
Retraction, Marcus Wallenberg Prize,
Award, Ethics, Disgrace, Falsification, Misconduct
On November 13, 2007 the Swedish King presented the Marcus Wallenberg Prize (MWP)
to Ove Nilsson. Mr. Marcus Wallenberg,
Chairman of the Marcus Wallenberg Foundation (MWF), praised Nilsson for gaining
fundamental knowledge that will translate into business opportunities for the
future forest industry (1).
However, Nilsson so far has
refused to answer some basic questions on how his most important “discovery”
was made? (2) MWF also failed to ask Nilsson
some tough questions to find out what role he actually played in “his” research
(3-4). More curiously, to save a medal
for Nilsson and to cheat on the King, MWF has resorted to an alteration of
history (5).
The grand award ceremony might
have some shining moments especially when it was attended by a King. However, that evil-prevailing day is one dark
day in science.
Nilsson won some unethical
money. Will he still be able to do any
ethical research?
References
1. http://www.mwp.org.
2. Liu, S. V. 2007. More
answers needed for resolving the mystery on publishing the flowering paper. Top
Watch 2:12-13.
3. Liu, S. V. 2007.
Nilsson and Science owe public more
answers than a simple retraction. Sci. Ethics 2:41-43.
4. Zielinska, E. 2007. Science retracts major Arabidopsis
paper. http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/53081/.
5. Liu, S. V. 2007. Why
did MWF alter its award announcement? Sci. Ethics 2: 106-108.
* This publication was sent to MWF for
response and comment.