Supporters and even opponents of Harvard professor Marc Hauser, who is being investigated for research fraud, are beginning to back-pedal. In an article in the New York Times, even the editor of the leading journal Cognition, one of his sternest critics, now says that there could be other explanations for some of his admitted.

Professor Hauser is well-known outside of his field for his writings on the origin of morality. When Harvard announced that he was solely responsible for eight counts of scientific misconduct, the shock reverberated far outside the academic community. (See BioEdge, Aug 21.)

In the meantime, the Office of Research Integrity, a federal government agency that investigates scientific misconduct, is studying the case. Hauser’s career is on hold, because he is not allowed to teach even though he final confirmation of his guilt or innocence may take months. “Maybe down the line there’ll be some forgiveness and a way to re-enter [academic life],” Professor Hauser told the New York Times. “I feel I have a lot more to contribute. But it’s been brutal.” ~ New York Times, Oct 25