RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Questionable ethics--whistle-blowing or tale-telling? JF Journal of Medical Ethics JO J Med Ethics FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics SP 382 OP 383 DO 10.1136/jme.23.6.382 VO 23 IS 6 A1 T Chambers YR 1997 UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/23/6/382.abstract AB Renal biopsy is a potentially hazardous procedure, generally performed for therapeutic reasons. An open renal biopsy was performed when there appeared to be no accepted clinical indication and its results published in a specialty journal, whose editors declined publication of subsequent correspondence, questioning the ethical propriety of such a procedure. The implications for clinical practice, authors, editors and readers are discussed.