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.

[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)

[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.