Document e76BaOggG47X8onBb5YkN8yV9

*> / /American Thoracic Society I THE potential for conflict of interest of members of * the AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY ' i Cus OFFICIAL STATEMENT WAS APPROVED BY \ ^ AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY BOARD OF \ pixectors, June 1987. 5 Introduction | Id recent years, members of the American i JfioracicSocietyand the American Lung As * >ociation have expressed concern about con flicts of interest that may arise for members uid officers of these organizations. Exam ples include: I. Individuals who serve as officers. Board members, or on policy-making committees of j the ALA-ATS, who receive remuneration J from, or whose research is supported by, pri me corporations that produce medical prodjets. L individuals in the organization who con duct activities under the auspices or finan cial support of tobacco companies that are the targets of the public advocacy and legisbiive programs of the ALA. 3. Individuals who serve as officers, Board members, or on policy-making committees of ihe ALA-ATS concerned with fostering a Wealthy environment who also relate, through their research or consultative activities, to cor porations or their unions that manufacture ovironmentally hazardous materials. These are only a few examples, it is clear the future holds many occasions when ^fficult issues may arise that require objec- fre and unbiased opinions, and yet, such obWivity may be difficult to establish. , h addition to real conflict of interest, there * the possible public perception of conflict interest. Both must be minimized by orf^izations that utilize public funds. Recognizing the need to explore the issue ^conflict of interest of members of a volun- health agency and a scientific society such the ALA-ATS, the Board of Directors of 7? American Thoracic Society considered issue at its meeting of June 19-20, 1986. 1 of that discussion came a recommendan lo convene an ad hoc committee com^ of certain members of the Board of *'*------ -- - iTr-z Tb Znv.liar w**,,h activities of the Americar. Society, and two consultants expe- in the ethical, legal, and philosophi- jj-'i^SLuncemed with conllicl of interest. ^Committee met on November 23 and 24, -l intLjPtoCUMfOtt Of iHese mattSrs and Has I Ihfi following statement, Statement on Conflict of Interest The roles of medical-scientific organizations in public and economic affairs have increased as scientific knowledge has begun to influence legislative action, public perception of health issues, and the nation's economy. In matters of research and scientific observation by in dividual investigators, the major concerns are validity of data and the sound analysis and interpretation of data that evolve from labo ratory and clinical investigation. In such ef forts, the validity and the conceptual mean ing of data emerge from the hypotheses, methods of study, and evaluation of the results. The author reports findings and draws conclusions as to the implications of those findings. Peer review of the publications reporting such new information serves as the method of assessing the validity, quality, and significance of the work. However, when called upon to give judg ments related to behavior, health, government legislation, or economic profit or loss, the physician and scientist often depart from reli ance on analysisof data. Judgments must be rendered from personal interpretations of the meaning of studies whose results are often not definitive and are in conflict among indi viduals or professional groups. In such in stances, scientists and physicians render opin ions that are distilled from their own beliefs, perceptions, and experience. These opinions carry personal responsibility when an in dividual speaks for him or herself, or a broader responsibility when the individual speaks for a government agency, university, voluntary agency, scientific society, or a cor poration. The objectivity of the opinion can be judged best when significant or relevant areas of conflict of interest are known. The individual called upon to render an opinion may have a bias related to a specific interest which may be organizational, eco nomic, or personal. In many circumstances, the potential for bias or conflict of interest may not be evident. For example, if an inves tigator or spokesman is in the employ of a pV.a~2teuC:c2i com.tta'.y ar.d is reudenr.| an there may be potential for conflict of interest. In such circumstances, disclosure of the back- giuuml Mild piulcssiuiml affilhiimns of tli* spokesmen permit judgments to be made as te the possible presence of bias or conflict of interest, Members of the American Thoracic Soci ety are called upon to prepare statements or position papers in which recommendations based on scientifically established facts or the consensus of experts in a given field are sum marized. The Officers of the Society attempt to select such committees so that individuals with different points of view or biases will come together to carry out a free, full, and vigorous discussion. Thus, it is hoped that the final report will represent a melding of the widest spectrum of opinion. Nevertheless, officers of the American Tho racic Society and members who speak for the Society should offer to disqualify themselves from serving the Society if they have finan cial or contractual interests (hat will interfere with their acting in an unbiased manner for that service to the Society. The Committee agreed on five brief statements which address matters of conflict of interest or bias within the American Thoracic Society and the Amer ican Lung Association. 1. "Officers of the American Thoracic So ciety and members who speak for the Society should oTfer to disqualify themselves from serving the Society if they have financial or contractual interests that will interefere wiih their acting in an unbiased manner for the American Thoracic Society and the Ameri can Lung Association." 2. "Individuals or members of committees preparing official statements for the Ameri can Thoracic Society should disclose finan cial relationships or legal obligations that will or may be perceived as interfering with the task." 3. ``Officers of the American Thoracic So ciety should exercise caution in entering into financial or legal arrangements that prejudice or bias the conduct or views of that individual in scientific, medical, or social issues related to the activities of the American Thoracic So ciety and/or American Lung Association. If such arrangements are perceived to exist, the individual should disclose these arrange ments." 4. "Under seme circumstances, foundations c: corTOtatitn.: -h: :e z Trite policies are at ~ttr. the se 0; the American Thoracic Society and the American Lung Associati" ftepnnts may be obtained from your stale or local Lung Asteitatian- (I y\ 49-0 4 .- - * may make available sums of money for (he support of research or education. Members of the /'m"rica Thoracic Society who are asked to serve c advisory boards related to such activities should be satisfied that they can carry out their deliberations in an abso lutely free and unfettered atmosphere with out regard for the differences in the public policy positions of the American Lung As sociation and the American Thoracic Society and of the granting organization." 5. "It is appropriate for American Thoracic Society members to apply for and accept grants and awards from foundations or cor porations whose public policies are at vari ance witli those of the American Thoracic So ciety and/or the American Lung Association if they are satisfied that the conditions of ac ceptance are known beforehand and there is no hindrance to the free and full publication of the results of studies carried out with the fir.-ds awarded. Full disclosure of the source of 1 fading should be made known at the time the research is published." By the very nature and complexity of the issues involved, these statements are general. They are meant to serve as guidelines in the wide range of activities conducted by the So ciety and its members. The fundamental ob jective is to create an awareness of the poten tial for conflict of interest and bias and to prevent such conflicts from interfering with the free and unfettered intellectual activity of the Society and its role as a professional soci ety and advisor to the American Lune a socintion, as well as to other public, DriwT and government agencies. . r\?> This statement was prepared by an ad h committee of the ATS Board of Dirsci^f' Members of the committee were: Gerard M. Turino, M.D./c/w/nn^^f tJoseph H. Bates, M D ( Joseph D. Bra\n, S.D., Sandy R. Iannotu^ Robert M. Senior, M D Gordon L. Snider, M D iM H1.. Tristam Engelhardt, M.D., Ph)T$ Consultant George Annas, J.D., M.p.ij Consultant?''. il 'Vv';* .m