Research agenda 2

Aubrey Blumsohn's assessment of the worth of the UK Research Integrity Office (Peep's Diary, May 25) trivialises what is a serious issue. The fact is that the commercialisation of education can only promote research malpractice as universities attempt to cut deals with drugs companies.

The title of this new body creates the illusion that the UK is actually doing something about research fraud but, as The Times Higher pointed out ("Blow the whistle on cheating lab rats", May 11), the body has no regulatory or investigative powers.

If it did have these powers, it would not be receiving funding from the drugs companies.

Pat Brady
Council for Academic Freedom and Academic Standards