Ethically, this may not be quite as questionable, but when matters of public health are concerned, and whenever the stakes of the decision-making are great, it is wise both to avoid apparent as well as actual conflicts of interests.

Should NIH scientists (compared to scientists in the private sector) be held to a higher degree of regulation of conflict of interest?

The NIH is a body of the federal government. The public must trust the government that the scientists have their own interests at heart, first and foremost. An individual who watches a drug commercial for Celebrex knows that it is being advertised by a self-interested commercial entity, but when the public hears a report provided by his or her government, composed by a supposedly disinterested body of scientists, he or she is more inclined to trust the evidence. Thus the NIH should be held to a higher standard....
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