91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ

Ethics Standards for Society Members

Guiding Principles

1. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members aim to uphold and advance the integrity and dignity of the profession and practice of the microbial sciences.
2. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members aspire to exemplify inclusive diversity with equity, access and accountability (IDEAA) in the microbial sciences.
3. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members aspire to use their knowledge and skills for the advancement of human welfare.
4. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members are expected to be honest, ethical, impartial and professional in their interactions with their trainees, supervisors, employees, employers, colleagues, clients, patients and the public.
5. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members strive to increase the competence and prestige of the profession and practice of the microbial sciences by responsible action and by sharing the results of their research through academic and commercial endeavors, or public service.
6. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members seek to maintain and expand their professional knowledge and skills.
7. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members are obligated to discourage any use of microbiology contrary to the welfare of humankind, including the use of microbes as biological weapons or for bioterrorism. Bioterrorism violates the fundamental principles upon which the society was founded and is abhorrent to the 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ and its members. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members will call to the attention of the public or the appropriate authorities misuses of microbiology or of information derived from microbiology.

Rules of Conduct

1. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members shall not commit scientific misconduct, defined as fabrication, falsification or plagiarism. However, scientific error or incorrect interpretation of research data that may occur as part of the scientific process does not constitute scientific misconduct.
2.  91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members shall avoid conflicts of interest, professional misconduct and potential abuse of privileged positions, including recognition of the potential power differential between mentors and trainees. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members shall make full disclosure of financial and other interests that might present a conflict in 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ activities.
3. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members shall treat others equitably and respectfully without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, or any other personal characteristic protected from discrimination or harassment by law.
4. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members shall abide by the 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ standards of publication that are contained within the , including the journals ethical guidelines, policies and procedures. The ethical standards that pertain to publications and the events code of conduct for the society also apply to presentations made at annual 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ meetings, conferences and workshops. 
5. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members shall abide by 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ Events Code of Conduct Policy at all 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ-affiliated events. 
6. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members shall not engage in harassment of any person, including students, supervisees, employees, colleagues, research participants, and others. Harassment is defined as unwanted and unwelcome attention or other conduct that creates an environment where a reasonable person would feel unwelcome, intimidated, excluded, or abused. 
7. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members shall take responsibility for reporting breaches of 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ’s Code of Ethics and Conduct to recommend appropriate responses, as defined in the Ethics Review Process. 
8. Members shall not represent any position as being that of the 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ unless it has the approval of the appropriate unit of the 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ.  
9. 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ members, by accepting membership in the society, agree to abide by this Code of Ethics. 

Please see 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ’s Policies and Procedures Manual for additional information, including 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ’s Ethics Review Processes.

If an 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ staff member is found to be in violation, the 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ Headquarters Employment Policies will be followed; this is distinct from the Ethics Review Process for 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ Members and Volunteers. Action regarding an 91Â鶹ÌìÃÀ staff member may result in termination of employment.