Researchers took payoffs from drug makers

Well, well, well, and well (to quote Boss Hogg). Who's surprised at this? Not I, that's for sure.

Three top researchers at Harvard University are now disgraced for life because they accepted millions of dollars from pharmaceutical drug kingpins like Eli Lilly & Co. while they were conducting a research project about how to treat childhood bipolar disorder.

Not only does this taint the study beyond all hope. It also violates university rules and federal guidelines.

One of the researchers - who has long been an avid booster of drugging children - even lied to Congress about it. When Senate investigators made him disclose his income, he reported receiving less money than the drug makers admit giving him.

This is a serious matter: The study has already been influential enough to boost sales of psychiatric drugs to the young. And now everyone knows the whole study is bogus.

This scandal crosses the line from being merely frustrating and into being downright criminal.

(Source: http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article614734.ece)