If laboratory supervision and mentoring had been better employed, the graduate student would have better understood invention practices, and would not have proceeded with direct patent application. Laboratories should operate within specific ethical policies and guidelines. Principles of collegiality were brushed aside when the graduate student applied for the patent without consulting his colleagues. The actions in this scenario may not have been solely due to greed and hubris. The graduate student believed that he would not get appropriate acknowledgement of significant work if he did not pursue the direct patent application.
Graduate students can feel intimidated by their PI and co-workers.
This power differential highlights the ethical need to always give credit when credit is due, regardless of the rank of the person due the acknowledgement. National Academy of Sciences. The parents are informed that Chris, their 3 year-old child should also be tested, as well as both parents. Devastated by this bad news, and the fear that Chris will be positive also, the parents refuse to have Chris tested. With early intervention, both children have a good chance at a long life.