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Nature 434, 687 (7 April 2005) | doi:10.1038/434687b; Published online 6 April 2005

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Postdocs slam zealous attitude of NIH ethics office

Rex Dalton

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Ethical rules now defy common sense, researchers say.

Is an honorary plaque costing little more than $25 enough to cause a conflict of interest for a US National Institutes of Health (NIH) administrator?The biomedical research agency's ethics office certainly thought so last year when it advised the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) that it could spend only $25 on an award plaque for Ruth Kirschstein, the former acting director of the NIH.