Obligations on being a scientist

I am reading 'On being a scientist' written by the US National Academies (of Sciences, Engineering and Medical Institutes). The booklet is meant to be a guide to responsible conduct in research. It touches aspects like what are the practices, values and standards in scientific research, what are classified under 'research misconducts' and ethics of a professional researcher. For anyone who is thinking about a career in research or is a beginning researcher, I think it would be a helpful guide. (click here to download the pdf file)

I especially would like to share the following passage taken from the book (pg 2-3) with all friends out there doing research discoveries:

Researchers have three sets of obligations that motivate their adherence to professional standards.

First, researchers have an obligation to honor the trust that their colleagues place in them. Science is a cumulative enterprise in which new research builds on previous results. If research results are inaccurate, other researchers will waste time and resources trying to replicate or extend those results. Irresponsible actions can impede an entire field of research or send it in a wrong direction, and progress in that field may slow. Imbedded in this trust is a responsibility of researchers to mentor the next generation who will build their work on the current research discoveries.

Second, researchers have an obligation to themselves. Irresponsible conduct in research can make it impossible to achieve a goal, whether that goal is earning a degree, renewing a grant, achieving tenure,or maintaining a reputation as a productive and honest researcher.Adhering to professional standards builds personal integrity in a research career.

Third, because scientific results greatly influence society, researchers have an obligation to act in ways that serve the public. Some scientific results directly affect the health and well-being of individuals, as in the case of clinical trials or toxicological studies. Science also is used by policy makers and voters to make informed decisions on such pressing issues as climate change, stem cell research, and the mitigation of natural hazards. Taxpayer dollars fund the grants that support much research. And even when scientific results have no immediate applications—as when research reveals new information about the universe or fundamental constituents of matter—new knowledge speaks to our sense of wonder and paves the way for future advances.

By considering all these obligations—toward other researchers,toward oneself, and toward the public—a researcher is more likely to make responsible choices. When beginning researchers are learning these obligations and standards of science, the advising and mentoring of more-experienced scientists is essential.