Mitigating and aggravating factors in HHS administrative actions.

§ 93.408 Mitigating and aggravating factors in HHS administrative actions. The purpose of HHS administrative actions is remedial. The appropriate administrative action is commensurate with the seriousness of the misconduct, and the need to protect the health and safety of the public, promote the integrity of the PHS supported research and research process, and conserve public funds. HHS considers aggravating and mitigating factors in determining appropriate HHS administrative actions and their terms. HHS may consider other factors as appropriate in each case. The existence or nonexistence of any factor is not determinative: (a) Knowing, intentional, or reckless. Were the respondent's actions knowing or intentional or was the conduct reckless? (b) Pattern. Was the research misconduct an isolated event or part of a continuing or prior pattern of dishonest conduct? (c) Impact. Did the misconduct have significant impact on the proposed or reported research record, research subjects, other researchers, institutions, or the public health or welfare? (d) Acceptance of responsibility. Has the respondent accepted responsibility for the misconduct by— (1) Admitting the conduct; (2) Cooperating with the research misconduct proceedings; (3) Demonstrating remorse and awareness of the significance and seriousness of the research misconduct; and (4) Taking steps to correct or prevent the recurrence of the research misconduct. (e) Failure to accept responsibility. Does the respondent blame others rather than accepting responsibility for the actions? (f) Retaliation. Did the respondent retaliate against complainants, witnesses, committee members, or other persons? (g) Present responsibility. Is the respondent presently responsible to conduct PHS supported research? (h) Other factors. Other factors appropriate to the circumstances of a particular case.