Talk:Conflict of interest
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I'm considering adding something like conflicts of interest can occur even when no money is involved, for example sysops on Wikipedia are expected to avoid using some of their privileges in disputes in which they are involved. I can't think of a better example, but I wonder if this is an inappropriate self-reference. Pakaran (ark a pan) 16:22, 23 Dec 2004 (UTC)
- An example that was not self-referential would probably be better, but until one is provided, my vote is that it's OK to use the sysop example.
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[edit] Conflicts of Interest may arise in contexts much larger than individuals.
Quoting from the article: More generally, conflict of interest can be defined as any situation in which an individual is in "a position to exploit a professional or official capacity in some way for his/her personal benefit."
It is possible that a conflict of interest arise in relation to entire entities, such as corporations and governmental agencies, not just individuals.
For example, consider the American Food and Drug Administration, (FDA)
FDA's Mission Statement (from their web site) :
"The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health. "
Nevertheless, in recent times, it has come to light that because the pharmaceutical industry, at least in part, now funds the FDA, medications may have been approved by FDA whose safety is questionable. [How independent is the FDA?]
Thus, a conflict of interest may exist at an entire corporation or governmental body- as an entity, the FDA should assure the safety of drugs, but this entity has a vested financial interest in satisfying the pharmaceutical industrie's pressure for speedy approval of new medications, which calls into question how thorough and careful FDA might me in the approval process.
I propose the following wording: More generally, conflict of interest can be defined as any situation in which an individual or corporation (either private or governmental) is in "a position to exploit a professional or official capacity in some way for his/her/their personal benefit." 12:33, 25 Apr 2005 (UTC)
A FURTHER EXAMPLE OF DEFINITIVE CONFLICT OF INTEREST- GFDL - South Africa The Life Offices Association - an association designed for self interest and self regulation on industry matters that involves it distribution of products and services – They meet to confer and agree on industry matters and then engage the regulator as one voice that in itself promotes self interest. -
[edit] Wikipedia proposed guideline about C of I
I just proposed a guideline for how Wikipedia editors should approach conflicts of interest. I figured I should invite the local experts to review it. Please see Wikipedia:Conflict of interest. Thanks. --Yannick 03:16, 18 Jun 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Examples?
How about some real-life examples of conflict of interest, and what those indivduals/groups did about it. eg. a Supreme Court justice recusing themselves from a case.
[edit] Conflict of Interest related to the Auditing practice
I just removed this section because it contained only one brief sentence fragment and one definition. I lack the legal know-how to flesh it out; I'd love for a knowledgeable editor to return it in more fullness. Chalkdusted 02:42, 29 May 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Interesting Point on the `Codes of ethics' Section
In the part of the article with the following quote : “Thus, professionals cannot claim that they were unaware that their improper behavior was unethical.”
What happens if the Code of Practice is open to interpretation as to the possible causes/instances of the `Conflict of Interest' or if it even completely omits any mention of the topic over which there might be a conflict of interest for professionals?
I can imagine that there can sometimes be problems with the phrasing of some `Codes of ethics' and that, if Codes of Ethics are to be referred to within the article, then a link to an article citing the usual contents of `Codes of ethics' should be included in relation to the above.
Of course, the example is a suitable one for the article. Perhaps it would be possible to phrase it to something more like the following : “Thus, professionals cannot USUALLY claim that they were unaware that their improper behavior was unethical.”
ConcernedScientist 20:26, 17 July 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Missing categories
I was startled to check this page and discover how limited are the categories for CoI. In particular, we have "professional" or "personal" interest - but only for "persons in positions of trust". Nothing to stop simple employees from cheating in articles.
And - there is another category that is bound to become increasingly important, fugitives from International justice. Surely, if you're linked to (alleged/suspected) criminal offences in one country, you should not be editing articles concerning those very same incidents. Not that it will be easy to pin down such suspects - but is there anything that means that identified suspect must respond to challenges? Statement of interest - I'm thinking of specific editors now. Surely they should answer a direct question as to whether they were in the proximity? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.135.2.195 (talk) 20:47, 27 December 2007 (UTC)
