The
Canadian College of Microbiologists was incorporated in 1978 to certify
professional microbiologists who have demonstrated proficiency, knowledge
and experience within their discipline. This certification has become
a marketplace requirement for quality professional microbiologists
and is consistently cited by College members and employers as the
most important activity of the College.
In addition
to professional certification, the College undertakes continuing
education programs, reciprocity agreements nationally and internationally,
student awards, distinguished lecture support, and laboratory certification
programs. See History
1935-1985.
Fundamental
Principles Members
of the Canadian College of Microbiology accept that the following
fundamental principles advance their profession and uphold its integrity
and dignity. All members of the College are required to comply with
the administration thereof. Failure to comply may be cause for termination
of membership in the College.
A) Use
their knowledge and skills for the advancement of human welfare.
B) 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 employers.
C) Strive
to increase the competence and prestige of the profession of microbiology
by responsible action and by sharing the results of their research
through academic, commercial, or public service.
D) Endeavor
to continue to expand their professional knowledge and skills, in
support of the aims of the college.
To these
fundamental principles are subtended the following Canons
of Ethics:
1. Recognize
a duty to the public to propagate a true understanding of science.
They will avoid making statements known to be premature, false, misleading,
or exaggerated and will discourage any use of microbiology contrary
to the welfare of human kind. They will work for proper and beneficent
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.
2. Be
encouraged to communicate knowledge obtained in their research through
discussions with their peers and through publications in the scientific
literature.
3. Will
strive in their scientific publications for accuracy not only in
the reporting and interpretation of their observations, but also
in the proper citation of pertinent previous contributions by others.
4. Endeavor
to recognize conflicts of interest and to avoid the abuse of privileged
positions. Such privileged positions include, but are not limited
to, (i) the review and evaluation of manuscripts and grant applications,
(ii) evaluation of candidates for employment or promotion, (iii)
Canadian College of Microbiology committee positions, (iv) service
in consulting activities, (v) access to specimen material and information
regarding their sources, (vi) student guidance, and (vii) simultaneous
service in profit-making and not-for-profit organizations.
5. Microbiologists
recognize their responsibility to make available to other members
of the profession the unique materials that were the source of published
data, so far as this does not infringe upon proprietary rights.
6. Microbiologists
recognize responsibilities to students, technicians, and other associates
working under their supervision to consider them colleagues, to provide
training where required, and to assign appropriate recognition to
their contributions. By direction and example these colleagues should
be taught adherence to the ethical standards herein described.
7. Members
shall not represent any position as being that of the Canadian College
of Microbiology unless that position has been approved by the appropriate
unit of the Canadian College of Microbiology.
8. Bring
to the attention of the board any breaches of this Code of Ethics.
9. Microbiologists
accepting membership in the Canadian College of Microbiology by that
action agree to abide by this Code of Ethics.
ADAPTED
FROM:
ASM CODE OF ETHICS as well as Standards of Ethical Conduct for Health
Service Executives CANADA.
Developed
by:
Dr. Gloria J. Deslisle,
Professor, Microbiology and Immunology and of Pathology
Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
email: delisleg@cliff.path.queensu.ca
To OBJECTIVES
