Â鶹Çø

Ethics Standards for Society Members

Guiding Principles

1. Â鶹Çø members aim to uphold and advance the integrity and dignity of the profession and practice of the microbial sciences.
2. Â鶹Çø members aspire to exemplify inclusive diversity with equity, access and accountability (IDEAA) in the microbial sciences.
3. Â鶹Çø members aspire to use their knowledge and skills for the advancement of human welfare.
4. Â鶹Çø 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. Â鶹Çø 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. Â鶹Çø members seek to maintain and expand their professional knowledge and skills.
7. Â鶹Çø 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 Â鶹Çø and its members. Â鶹Çø 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. Â鶹Çø 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.  Â鶹Çø 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. Â鶹Çø members shall make full disclosure of financial and other interests that might present a conflict in Â鶹Çø activities.
3. Â鶹Çø 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. Â鶹Çø members shall abide by the Â鶹Çø 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 Â鶹Çø meetings, conferences and workshops. 
5. Â鶹Çø members shall abide by Â鶹Çø Events Code of Conduct Policy at all Â鶹Çø-affiliated events. 
6. Â鶹Çø 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. Â鶹Çø members shall take responsibility for reporting breaches of Â鶹Çø’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 Â鶹Çø unless it has the approval of the appropriate unit of the Â鶹Çø.  
9. Â鶹Çø members, by accepting membership in the society, agree to abide by this Code of Ethics. 

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

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