University of Minnesota research case is not a scandal

In a May 13 commentary ("U research case needs a close look"), University of Minnesota faculty member Carl Elliott called for yet another investigation into the tragic death of Dan Markingson, a patient who was battling schizophrenia. Markingson took his own life in 2003 while taking part in a clinical trial aimed at treating his condition.

The story may be familiar to some readers. For years, Elliott has focused his energy on this single issue. Yet as Elliot clamors for more examination, he seems to feel no responsibility to accurately report what has already been done.

Elliott claims that despite "dozens of formal complaints to university officials," the issue has never been formally investigated. He knows this is inaccurate.

Examinations of the Markingson case have been conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Hennepin County District Court, the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (assisted by the Minnesota attorney general's office) and the University Office of General Counsel, at the direction of the Board of Regents. The latter was prompted by Elliott himself.

None of these investigations found that the university in any way contributed to Markingson's death. Most notably, the FDA, the federal agency charged with responsibility for such matters, conducted an extensive review of this matter. In its final report, the FDA "did not find any evidence of misconduct, significant violation of the protocol or regulations governing clinical investigators or IRBs in this inspection, data audit, or interviews." Because he did not agree with this conclusion, Elliott ignores the review and asks for further investigation.

Elliott has filed numerous requests for information over the years and has published countless accounts of the Markingson case. These requests have required the university to expend untold resources addressing his allegations over and over again as we attempt to respond to his selective and distorted narrative.

We at the University of Minnesota are proud to have researchers willing to take on extremely challenging problems, and to search for answers to tough questions. Sadly, not all of these patients get cured, but hopefully every case gets us closer to that goal.

Mr. Markingson's suicide was a tragedy, but it is not a scandal. Nine years later, it is time to stop blaming our university and our researchers.

We hope Star Tribune readers won't allow Elliott's campaign to cloud reality. Judge the university not on unfounded accusations, but on careful examination of the facts surrounding this case, and on the scale of the groundbreaking advancements taking place across our campuses every day.

Dr. Aaron Friedman is vice president for health sciences and dean of the Medical School at the University of Minnesota.