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OVERHEARD AT MUSC

Oath of Discovery

What?
The College of Graduate Studies began a new tradition this year with its first formal Lab Coat Ceremony, Sept. 22. College of Graduate Studies Dean Perry Halushka, M.D., Ph.D.,  presented about 50 students a monogrammed lab coat before they recited an Oath of Discovery. The ceremony marked an official recognition of the students entering into the field of biomedical science research.

Cynthia Wright, Ph.D., helped formalize a process that in the past was very informal and scattered throughout several weeks. Wright, Edward Krug, Ph.D., and Halushka wrote the oath (see below) that was taken from a modified version of the Oath of Hippocrates (modified by Dr. Louis Lasagna).

Oath of Discovery
I swear to fulfill to the best of my ability and judgment this covenant.

I promise to commit myself to the process of scientific discovery with vigor, rigor, enthusiasm, hard work and persistence.

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those scientists and mentors in whose steps I walk and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will treat all research subjects human or animal with dignity and respect.

I will never plagiarize, falsify data or misrepresent my research findings.

I will not view not knowing as a failure, but will use this as an impetus to seek guidance from my colleagues when the skills of another are needed to speed discovery.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and science, be respected while I live and revered thereafter. 

May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my profession and may I long to experience the joy of discovery.

Friday, Oct. 15, 2010


The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.