The detention of a scientist of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), who was in line for a senior position in the academy, for suspected embezzlement of research funds raises the question of transparency once again.

Even after an increasing number of central government departments and local governments have started disclosing their expenses for officials' overseas trips, public receptions and purchase and maintenance of cars, the use of scientific research funds is wrapped in mystery.

The scientist, Duan Zhenhao, was detained after online postings indicated he could be misappropriating research funds to pay "his mistresses" and carry on an affair with a student. That he is said to have reimbursed traveling expenses that had nothing to do with his research indicate that the online postings are not a joke.

Since the use of research funds is not transparent and since leading research scholars in projects are given absolute authority in fund allocation, speculation is rife over how such funds are squandered. Some say about 50 percent of the research funds is usually squandered on traveling, banquets and other activities.

An official in charge of the research result commercialization section of the CAS' Institute of Geology and Geophysics, where the academic used to work, said that it was neither necessary nor possible to check how and where Duan spent the research fund.

This remark fuelled rumors that a person who has enough contacts or influence to get funds for a research project will have absolute say on how and where to use them. To a certain extent, it exposes the lack of supervision over the use of research funds, too.

As far as the management of research funds is concerned, it would be unrealistic to expect a scientist or professor to spend every penny from the research fund he/she gets on his/her project.

The faked chip scandal in Shanghai Jiaotong University in 2006 showed how corrupt a researcher could be. And the frequent cases of plagiarism involving professors show how important it is for institutions and mechanisms to guard against corruption in the field of research.

There are scientists who have devoted their entire lives to research without bothering about money or fame. There are excellent scientists and professors for whom personal integrity is more valuable than even their lives. It is unfair that a few bad apples are out to set a different precedent.

When innovation has become a necessity for the country to sharpen its competitive edge and when there is a national consensus over transparency of governance, there is no reason for the management of research funds to be still mired in mystery. Such a situation is not good for the development of science or scientists.

(China Daily 07/23/2011 page5)