BIOL368/F16:Class Journal Week 14

Avery Vernon-Moore

Were you aware of the Duke case of research fraud before viewing this video?
- No, I have never heard of it before.
What are your initial reactions to hearing the case?
- I think that that is awful that someone would be willing to sacrifice the well being of so many other people who are already suffering so much more than he is just to benefit himself and make money. Of course his initial response was to help people and anyone would want their data to support that, but that is not something you should be trying to make work for your own benefit. I also don't understand how he was still able to continue working as a doctor, especially still continue working with cancer research and how anybody would have any respect for him or allow him to be their doctor or colleague.
What role did data sharing play in uncovering the fraud?
- The two men who were experts in that type of programming decided to review his data and found many "errors" in the data, eventually it was made clear that Dr. Potti had changed the data wherever it didn't support his theory.
What additional information would you like to know about the Duke case in particular?
- I was intrigued that they kept saying they were finding errors in the data, how were they analyzing it? I want to know why Dr. Potti wasn't sued or reprimanded. It is also interesting that this whole case wasn't made more public.

Avery Vernon-Moore 20:16, 4 December 2016 (EST)

Were you aware of the Duke case of research fraud before viewing this video?
- I was not aware of the Duke research fraud case until I saw this video.
What are your initial reactions to hearing the case?
- I was concerned that the doctor involved was still able to practice as if nothing had happened. He clearly was dishonest on multiple occasions and the fact that more patients could be affected by his lack of ethical behavior is a problem.
What role did data sharing play in uncovering the fraud?
- Because the data was available to other scientists, outside sources could verify the accuracy of the research. Because another group analyzed the data separately and came to different conclusions, they were able to bring attention to the falsehood of the information presented.
What additional information would you like to know about the Duke case in particular?
- Were there any consequences for the University or the other doctor who was involved? Despite the fact that he continues to practice, what were the consequences for Dr. Potti? Also, what parts of the data were manipulated? How would data manipulation be obvious for an outside viewer?

Matthew R Allegretti 20:09, 4 December 2016 (EST)

Were you aware of the Duke case of research fraud before viewing this video?
- No I had never head of it before
What are your initial reactions to hearing the case?
- My initial reaction is that I am astounded something like this could have ever happened. In places of elite education and research it is hard to understand how manipulation of data is overlooked. It is especially hard to believe that there are people out there who are willing to falsify data and give false hope to people who are desperately looking for an answer.
What role did data sharing play in uncovering the fraud?
- If the preliminary data was not shared there would have been no source of external reviewing, and this case may not have ever been uncovered. It shows the importance data sharing has on keeping people honest in the world of science.
What additional information would you like to know about the Duke case in particular?
- I'm curious to know why there weren't previously research verification methods at Duke. I would expect, if someone finds groundbreaking results that they are immediately heavily analyzed by outside sources. The clip says the head of clinical research has now implemented such methods, but I would like to know what that new process involves. I'm also wondering where Potti is now and what this scandal has done to his career as a scientist.

Zachary T. Goldstein 19:55, 4 December 2016 (EST)Zachary T. Goldstein