The right of the scientist to investigate is akin to the academic freedom which our American standards demand for scholars in every field, and not too remote from the freedom of speech which we have come to believe constitutes one of the foundation stones of our American way of living. Each of these privileges, however, carries with it an obligation - an obligation, in the case of the scientist, to investigate honestly, to observe and to record without prejudice, to observe as adequately as human sense organs or the most modern instruments may allow, to observe persistently and sufficiently in order that there may be an ultimate understanding of the basic nature of the matter which is involved. These are the obligations which the scientist assumes when he contracts with society for the right to investigate.
But there is another obligation which is also implicit in the contract between scientist and the social organization which supports, protects and encourages his research. We believe that the scientist who obtains his right to investigate from the citizens at large is under obligation to make his findings available to all who can utilize his data. Any scientist who fails to report, or to place his findings in channels where they may serve the maximum number of persons, fails to recognize the sources of his right to investigate, and thereby jeopardizes the right of all scientists to investigate in any field.
- Alfred Charles Kinsey,
Sexual Behavior in the Human Female
(© 1953, renewed 1981)
© AQOS / P. Smalley (2009)
Reproduction with attribution is appreciation
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