Why you should care about conflicts of interest

"A relationship based on trust is necessary with colleagues, the government, the study sponsors, and, of course, the public. Objectivity is fundamental to this trust."
- http://ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/rcr/rcr_conflicts/foundation/

They were correct to question her objectivity. Seems like she had a conflict of interest.....
Movie: Thomas Crown Affair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8W5wjXsrR0

To maintain objectivity, we usually have to be free of conflicts of interest.

Conflict of Interest:
A situation that has the potential to undermine the impartiality of a person because of the possibility of a clash between the person's self-interest and professional interest or public interest.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/conflict-of-interest.html