The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has from hereon banned its members from using their position to make money through commercial endorsements or activities.
Bai Chunli, deputy president of the CAS, spoke out against such actions, pointing out that de facto their positions and contributions, academicians wielded tremendous influence. This power should only be used in the name of furthering scientific accomplishment, added Bai.
A CAS media officer revealed to Xinhua News Agency that some academicians were already embroiled in commercial activities starkly different from their actual research fields.
Businesses tapped the prestige of a CAS position to build up their commercial clout and attract more custom, the officer explained. Endorsements ran the gamut passing from some academicians acting as "image ambassadors" to even allowing their names to be used during adverts, he said.
The 2001 CAS Code of Conduct forbids members from participating in any improper profit-making schemes, to honor their reputations and move to halt corruption in scientific domains. Thus, the new ban on commercial activities is perfectly in line with this code, Bai concluded.
(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2007)
