NIH Medical Safety Officer Reinstated

Saturday December 24, 2005 10:47 AM

AP Photo WX103

By JOHN SOLOMON

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A medical safety expert whose firing drew national attention to the lack of whistleblower protections in some areas of federal research is back on the government payroll.

The National Institutes of Health's reinstatement of Dr. Jonathan Fishbein settles a two-year battle that prompted investigations into allegations of scientific misconduct and sexual harassment in federal AIDS research.

Fishbein alleged he was fired for raising safety concerns in government experiments. NIH said he was fired for poor performance even though he had been recommended for a cash performance bonus just weeks before he was notified of his termination.