The Code of Ethics Fundamental Principles

Members of PSM accept that the following fundamental principles advance their profession and uphold its integrity and dignity.

• They will be honest and impartial in their interactions with the public, their employers, their clients, patients in whose diagnosis and treatment they are involved, their colleagues, their students and their employees.
• They will use their knowledge and skills for the advancement of human welfare.
• They will strive to increase the competence and practice of the profession of microbiology by responsible action and by sharing the results of their research through academic, commercial, or public service.
• They will endeavor to continue to expand their professional knowledge and skills, and they will support the aims of the societies of their discipline.

Canons

To these fundamental principles are subtended to the following canon of ethics.

• Microbiologists recognize a duty to the public to propagate a true understanding of the science. They will avoid premature, false, misleading and exaggerated statements and will discourage any use of microbiology contrary to the welfare of humankind. They will work for proper and beneficient application of scientific discoveries and will call to the attention of the public or the appropriate authorities misuses of microbiology or of information derived from microbiology.
• Microbiologists are expected to communicate knowledge obtained in their research through their discussion with their peers and through publications in the scientific literature.
• In their scientific publications, microbiologists will strive for accuracy. Not only in the reporting and interpretation of their observation, but also in the proper citation of pertinent previous contribution by others.
• Microbiologists will endeavor to recognize conflicts of interest and to avoid the abuse of privileged positions. Such privileges include, but are not limited to (i) the review and evaluation of manuscripts and grant applications (ii) evaluation of candidates for employment, (iii) PSM committee, or staff positions, (iv) service in consulting activities, (v) access to specimen materials and information regarding their sources, (vi) students guidance, and (vii) simultaneous service in profit-making and not for-profit organizations.
• Microbiologists recognize their responsibilities to make available to other materials that we were the source of published data, so far as this does not infringe upon proprietary rights.
• Microbiologists recognize responsibilities to students, technicians, and other associates working under their supervision to consider them colleagues, to provide training when required, and to assign appropriate recognition for their contributions. By direction and example, these colleagues should be taught adherence to the ethical standards wherein described.
• Members shall not represent any position as being that of PSM unless the appropriate unit of PSM has approved that position.
• Members of PSM recognize PSM’s responsibility to consider breaches of this code of ethics and to recommend appropriate responses. These responses are defined by the ethical review process.
• Microbiologists accepting membership in PSM by that action agree to abide by this code of ethics.

(Based on the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Code of Ethics.)

The Philippine Society for Microbiology is dedicated to the utilization of microbiological sciences for the promotion of human and animal welfare and for the accumulation of knowledge. These goals demand honesty and truthfulness in all activities sponsored or supported by the Society.

Ethics Standards for PSM Members

Guiding Principles

(1) PSM members aim to uphold and advance the integrity and dignity of the profession and practice of microbiology.
(2) PSM members aspire to use their knowledge and skills for the advancement of human and animal welfare.
(3) PSM members are honest and impartial in their interactions with their trainees, colleagues, employees, employers, clients, patients, and the general public.
(4) PSM members strive to increase the competence and prestige of the profession and practice of microbiology by responsible action and by sharing the results of their research through academic and commercial endeavors, or public service.
(5) PSM members seek to maintain and expand their professional knowledge and skills.
(6) PSM members are obligated to discourage any use of microbiology contrary to the welfare of humankind, including the use of microbes as biological weapons. Bioterrorism violates the fundamental principles upon which the Society was founded and is abhorrent to the PSM and its members. PSM members will call to the attention of the public or the appropriate authorities misuses of microbiology or of information derived from microbiology.

Rules of Conduct

1. PSM members shall not commit scientific misconduct, defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism. However, scientific error or incorrect interpretation of research data that may occur as part of the scientific process does not constitute scientific misconduct.
2. PSM members shall avoid improper conflicts of interest and potential abuse of privileged positions. PSM members shall make full disclosure of financial and other interests that might present a conflict in PSM activities.
3. PSM members shall take responsibility to report breaches of the Rules of Conduct and to recommend appropriate responses, as defined in the Ethics Review Process.
4. Members shall not represent any position as being that of the PSM unless it has the approval of the PSM Board of Directors.
5. PSM members, by accepting membership in the Society, agree to abide by this Code of Ethics.

Ethics Review Process

PSM members recognize the responsibility of the Society to consider breaches of the Code of Ethics and to recommend appropriate responses. These responses are defined under Ethics Review Process.

Members: If allegations of scientific misconduct are made against a member of the PSM, where appropriate, the academic or other institution that employs the member should make the investigation and resolution of the issues.

The Ethics Review Process is confidential and mandates several discrete steps, as follows.

1. Complaint. Allegations of ethical misconduct must be sent by signed letter, marked “Confidential, to the President of the PSM.” This letter should include a description of the alleged behavior, information in support of the allegation, and citation of the Rules of Conduct deemed violated.
2. President’s Response to a Complaint.The President of the PSM shall determine, in consultation with the Chair of the Ethics Committee, whether the alleged conduct may constitute a violation of the PSM Rules of Conduct. If it is deemed that the alleged facts would not constitute an ethical violation, the President shall dismiss the complaint at this point and so inform the complainant.

If a determination is made that the conduct would constitute a violation, the President shall appoint a panel of PSM members to investigate the complaint. There must be at least three (3) members on the panel. At this point, the President shall notify the complainants and the accused that an investigation has been initiated. Both parties also are directed to prepare written evidence for presentation to the panel.

3. The Investigative Panel. The panel shall have full authority to investigate the validity of the allegation and of the defense against the allegation. The panel shall provide the accused the opportunity to know and respond fully to the allegations in the complaint. The panel may decide to permit the presentation of oral evidence in addition to the written materials that are submitted. However, if the facts forming the basis of the complaint are substantial and verifiable, the matter may be decided on the basis of written material; the panel may act solely on the basis of such written material. A majority of the panel must agree to the recommended decision and recommended action. At the conclusion of its investigation the panel shall make a report to the Ethics Committee. That report shall consist of (a) the full record of the complaint, the responses of the accused, and the investigation; (b) a recommended decision as to whether a violation occurred; (c) a recommended action by the Investigative Panel, which may include dismissal of the complaint; and (d) a synopsis of the findings of the panel on which its recommended action is based.
4. Decision by the Ethics Committee. Upon receipt of the report of the investigative panel, a quorum consisting of a majority of the Ethics Committee will review the entire report. On the basis of the report and its own deliberations, a majority of the full membership of the Ethics Committee will render a decision and report that decision to the President. The Ethics Committee’s report must contain a synopsis of the complaint and its investigation, and a decision whether an ethical violation occurred. The Ethics Committee can dismiss the complaint. If the Ethics Committee decides an ethical violation has occurred, it must order an action by the PSM.
5. Notification of the PSM Decision.Upon receipt of the decision from the Ethics Committee, the President of the PSM shall promptly and in confidence notify all parties in writing of the decision and order of action. If the decision is other than dismissal of the complaint, the notice will inform the accused of the right to appeal and shall provide the parties copies of the reports of the investigative panel and the Ethics Committee.
6. 6. Right of Appeal.If the accused wishes to file an appeal, the President of PSM must receive such appeal within sixty (60) days of receipt of notice of the decision. If such notification is not received, the decision of the Ethics Committee will be carried out. The appeal may be based on claims that the decision was incorrect in light of the evidence presented and/or that the investigation procedure was flawed. The President must receive arguments supporting the appeal within ninety (90) days of receipt of the notice of decision by the accused.

If an appeal is made, the President shall request the PSM Board of Directors to appoint an Appeal Committee consisting of at least five (5) Board members. The Ethics Committee will release the entire record to the Appeal Committee.

7. The Appeal Committee. Following review of the entire record, the Appeal Committee will render its decision. The Appeal Committee may reverse the decision of the Ethics Committee and dismiss the complaint, modify the sanction imposed by the decision, sustain the decision of the Ethics Committee, or take such other action as it deems appropriate. Action by the Appeal Committee shall require a two-thirds vote of the Appeal Committee. Denial of the decision of the Ethics Committee by the Appeal Committee may be based on the conclusion that the original decision was not supported by substantial evidence, that the original decision was clearly erroneous, or that due process had not been followed. The Appeal Committee will communicate its decision to the President and all materials will be returned to the Ethics Committee.

Upon receipt of the report of the Appeal Committee, the President shall promptly notify all parties of the decision and order of action.

8. Implementation of Decisions. In the case of removal from membership or requested resignation, the name of the member and the sanction applied will be published in the PSM News. If the charges are dismissed, the accused shall be given the choice of whether that decision is published. The decision and order of action will be the final disposition of the matter by the PSM.
9. Confidentiality. It is essential that all aspects of the investigation of alleged ethical misconduct be treated in a strictly confidential manner. Only the participants will know all elements of the investigation and adjudication, including the fact that an investigation is proceeding. Breach of this confidentiality shall itself be considered ethical misconduct.

This confidentiality shall be maintained until thirty (30) days after receipt of notice of decision from the President of PSM. In the event of appeal, the President shall extend this confidentiality until thirty (30) days after the notification of decision of the Appeal Committee.