I think one of the biggest problem in society now a-days is the lack of ethics. This is just another appalling example. Its not like these doctors are poor, they are considered experts in their field. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/health/research/19ethics.html?_r=1
Not all that uncommon. Many Supreme Court justices fully rely on the research and advice by their clerks. Sometimes that research and advice is wrong. Also, US Congresspeople have speeches placed in the Congressional Record that were never delivered- as if they were. There are a lot of other examples, but you get the idea.
That kind of fraud in almost every other academic field would get you fired, even if you were tenured. I've written academic papers in concert with economists at investment banks, but never would I have signed my name to anything that was written for me.
Well seeing as I think many congress/senate people aren't out there to represent the people but their own huge ego's while feeling important all the time, they have lots of power. I'm not surprised. Congress and senate seem to be a huge popularity contest, if you have a good writer and don't make any Howard Dean moves you should be a safe bet to win. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltrGtbMvkjY
Pretty much every bill that becomes a law is written by ghost writers. They are highly paid lawyers that work for the special interest, and then our "law makers" put their names on them.
Not really. Relying on the advice of your clerks/staff is quite different than what the OP alleged - that outside parties wrote opinions that they stood to profit from. barfo