& nbsp ; There may be more aberrations in the moral and ethical behavior of scientists and physicians now than in the past . Fraud and misconduct in research have become a major stress point for both science and medicine . The “ premed syndrome ” ( cheating in medical school and dishonesty during residency training ) and fraud in medical practice are well known . Further , studies show that medical students are lenient towards dishonesty in education and practice . One result is that researchers and faculty members may turn to fraud when faced with the pressures to excel , produce , publish , be promoted , and win tenure . Also , physicians ' ties to research and commercial endeavors raise questions of conflict of interest that may tarnish the medical image and compromise research findings . An AAMC ad hoc committee on research fraud identified three steps institutions might take : determination of the magnitude of the problem by a formal study ; institution of guidelines for research , publication , and promotion ; and establishment of policies for investigating allegations of fraud . Because of the problems of dishonesty , fraud , and conflict of interest , academic medical institutions must establish codes of conduct to govern professional life .