IN what could be interpreted as a victory for freedom of speech, the University of Queensland (UQ) has back-flipped on its attempt to force an apology from one of its senior lecturers, who spoke out against the marketing of HPV vaccine Gardasil.
Dr Andrew Gunn, a Brisbane GP and UQ senior lecturer in general practice, criticised vaccine manufacturers CSL on radio late last year, alleging Gardasil was being marketed as a total solution to cervical cancer (MO, 18 April). CSL and UQ were partners in the development of the vaccine.
Dr Gunn’s comments led UQ to request he send CSL a written apology explaining that the university did not endorse his views. However, UQ last week backed down, conceding it would not pursue the matter.
“The university acknowledges that its action in writing to Dr Gunn may have been disproportionate to the circumstances,” UQ said in a statement.
However, the university also announced it would be considering a process to clarify the circumstances in which honorary academic titles could be used when making comment.
Dr Gunn said the university’s backdown was a small victory for freedom of speech and that the experience had been useful in focusing attention on how commercial funding of universities could undermine academic freedom.