The director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Thomas R. Insel, has softened his denial of a mutually helpful relationship with Charles B. Nemeroff, a university researcher found to have repeatedly collected undisclosed corporate payments. In an update to his official blog posting, Dr. Insel said his initial denial of job assistance from Dr. Nemeroff “may be viewed as misleading,” and acknowledged that Dr. Nemeroff served in key positions related to Dr. Insel’s hiring by Emory University. Meanwhile, the director of the National Institutes of Health, Francis S. Collins, has affirmed his confidence in Dr. Insel. An NIH spokesman, John T. Burklow, told The Chronicle that Dr. Collins “is pleased with” Dr. Insel’s work on drafting new financial conflict-of-interest rules, adding that Dr. Insel “is a dedicated and visionary public servant, and Dr. Collins feels fortunate to have him on the NIH team.”
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One Response to NIH Official Softens Denial of Ties to Sullied Researcher
1boringoldman - June 30, 2010 at 6:59 am
This “softened denial” reminds us of “I did not have sex with that woman” becoming “What do you mean by sex?” Dr. Insel was clearly helped by Dr. Nemeroff when he was in trouble. Nemeroff helped him move to Yerkes when his NIMH job ran out. He helped him move to the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience when his Yerkes contract was not renewed. And he lobbied for Insel to become head of the NIMH. There is no such thing as a “soft” Conflict of Interest. Dr. Insel had one. What’s more, he paid Nemeroff back. What else does Francis Collins need to know?