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comment by user-inactivated
user-inactivated  ·  3432 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Ex-Iowa State scientist gets prison for faking HIV research

While I think what he did was stupid and wrong, separating him from his wife and children on top of 57 months jail, 3 years supervision, banning him from his career, and having to repay $7.2 million sounds a bit excessive.





mk  ·  3432 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I agree. The punishment does not fit the crime. He should be banned from science funding, do a short stint in jail, and then do community service that works to improve science in some way.

Unfortunately for him, he isn't a military contractor or investment banker. They tend to fare better in these circumstances.

caeli  ·  3432 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I agree that it seems excessive, but I think it's also important to take into account the impact that fabricated research has. Hundreds, if not thousands, of other researchers have likely based some of their work off of Han's studies, leading to a waste of incredible amounts of resources (government money, researchers' time, etc.).

user-inactivated  ·  3432 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I understand disallowing him from the career, and paying back the money, and even the jail time, but I don't see how deporting him away from his family has anything to do with medical research. From the article it didn't sound like he was in it for money, or even fame, so why make him leave the country?

disbell  ·  3432 days ago  ·  link  ·  

The deportation is not directly related to the punishment handed down by the court. It's an un/fortunate byproduct.

caeli  ·  3432 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Oh wow, my eyes somehow managed to jump over the part where they mentioned that deportation was likely. Yeah that doesn't seem right, especially since he's a permanent resident.