Sandra Titus and Xavier Bosch suggest that scientific misconduct will be solved by “mandatory and frequent” educational classes for all members of institutions that receive government research funding (Nature 466, 436–437; 2010). But it is far from clear that the behaviour of the research community has improved since these classes were introduced.

If a politician proposed to solve the nation's crime problem by preaching “mandatory and frequent” sermons on the Ten Commandments to the entire population, few of us would vote for him or her. Bad behaviour rarely happens through ignorance of the law or of the rules that govern research. It arises because of human frailty, and is a feature of every profession and all societies. Individuals are criminals or cheats because they believe that they will not be caught.

Most scientists are honest and well aware of the ethical rules of research. Those who are not — because of inexperience, say — could receive targeted education. But it is unfair and inefficient to penalize the honest and experienced majority by increasing the already onerous regulatory and compliance burden that cripples today's discovery process.

Instead, follow the way society deals with crime: improve detection procedures and punish the guilty. Honest scientists do not need further governmental assault on their morale.