Trust and professionalism in science: medical codes as a model for scientific negligence?

Abstract Background Professional communities such as the medical community are acutely concerned with negligence: category of misconduct where a professional does not live up to standards expected similar qualifications. Since science is currently strengthening its structures self-regulation in parallel professions, this raises question what extent scientific negligence, and if not, whether it should be. By means comparative analysis codes conduct, we aim highlight role (or lack thereof) negligence provisions conduct for scientists, discuss normative consequences future conduct. Methods We collected selection OECD countries, submitted each code textual analysis. Results Negligence invariably listed an infraction norms integrity but only rarely so codes. When latter list they typically do provide any detail on meaning ‘negligence’. Discussion Unlike professionals, current scientists largely silent issue or explicitly exclude type misconduct. In few cases stipulated constitute misconduct, no responsibilities identified that would help prevent negligence. While caution against unreasonable well disproportionate sanctioning systems, argue crucial justified trust community, hence there very strong rationale including