An editorial was commissioned from a distinguished doctor who was subsequently found guilty of research misconduct overseas. There was a lack of consensus in the journal’s country as to whether this judgment was correct. The author continues to work, but is awaiting a judgment from his regulatory body. - Should the editorial be published? - Should the editorial be published with a footnote referring to these events? - If so, what should this footnote say? - Should the editorial be rejected on ethical grounds?
- The commissioned editorial did not arise out of the issue of misconduct for which the expert was found guilty of research misconduct. - It would be unfair to prematurely pass judgment and the journal should hold the editorial until the regulatory body had given its own judgment. - Hold the editorial until the regulatory body has given its judgment.