{{Short description|Israeli-Canadian pharmacologist and folk musician}} {{Infobox scientist | name = Gideon Koren | native_name = גדעון קורן | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1947|08|27|df=yes}} | birth_place = Tel Aviv, Israel | fields = Pediatrics, clinical pharmacology, toxicology | workplaces = Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto | known_for = Founder of the Motherisk Program, research controversies, and Israeli folk music composition | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | genre = Israeli folk music | occupation = Composer, musician | associated_acts = The Brothers & The Sisters }} }} '''Gideon Koren''', FACMT, FRCP(C) (Hebrew: גדעון קורן; born August 27, 1947) is an Israeli-Canadian pediatrician, clinical pharmacologist, toxicologist, and composer.
While in medical school in 1971, Koren founded The Brothers and The Sisters, a prominent Israeli musical group during the 1970s and early 1980s, for which he was the manager and principal composer.
Koren emigrated to Canada in 1982, where he worked as a physician at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and served as a professor at the University of Toronto. In 1985, Koren established Motherisk, a clinical and research program at The Hospital for Sick Children that later closed following controversy.<ref name="cbc.ca">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/motherisk-drug-testing-program-shut-down-by-sickkids-hospital-1.3038815|title=SickKids shuts down Motherisk drug-testing program|website=www.cbc.ca|access-date=2016-03-02}}</ref> Several scientific publications by Koren have been subject to scrutiny over academic and research practices, resulting in the retraction of six articles and the issuance of editorial expressions of concern for others.<ref name="rw_database" />
Koren relinquished his licence to practice medicine in Canada during an investigation into allegations of professional misconduct and incompetence related to his leadership of the Motherisk laboratory.<ref name="gallant">{{cite news |last1=Gallant |first1=Jacques |title=Former head of Sick Kids' Motherisk lab gives up medical licence amid investigation |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/02/22/former-head-of-sick-kids-motherisk-lab-gives-up-medical-licence-amid-investigation.html |access-date=March 3, 2019 |work=Toronto Star |date=February 22, 2019}}</ref> The laboratory became the focus of a scandal that raised concern about the reliability of forensic toxicology testing used in approximately 16,000 child protection cases and six criminal cases.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.m-hair.ca/|title=Home|last=www.cubiclefugitive.com|website=www.m-hair.ca|access-date=2016-03-02}}</ref> An independent review concluded that Koren and his staff lacked the qualifications required for the forensic testing performed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/motherisk-experts-forensic-testimony-1.3433881|title=From Charles Smith to Motherisk: The importance of questioning 'expert' testimony|website=www.cbc.ca|access-date=2016-03-02}}</ref>
In 2018, The Toronto Star published an investigative report identifying concerns in Koren’s research, including inadequate peer review, undeclared conflicts of interest, and inaccuracies in methodology. This reporting contributed to further retractions of Koren’s scientific publications.<ref name="rw_database" /><ref name="MendelsonR" />
Before the Motherisk controversy, Koren was reprimanded by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario for sending anonymous harassing letters to physician Nancy Olivieri and three colleagues, and for initially denying responsibility. Initially Koren denied the charges; DNA evidence (saliva from the envelopes) from the letters incriminated him, resulting in his removal as Head of Clinical Pharmacology and Director of Motherisk.
==Biography==
===Early life and education=== Koren was born in 1947 in Tel Aviv, then part of Mandatory Palestine, and was raised in the nearby town of Kiryat Ono. His father was the chief engineer of the Reading Power Station of the Israel Electric Corporation.
Koren received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University in 1973. After mandatory military service in the Israel Defense Forces, he pursued postgraduate clinical studies in pediatrics and pediatric nephrology, as well as research training in pediatric toxicology, pharmacology, and membrane biology at The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto. He later joined the faculty of the University of Toronto and the staff of the Hospital for Sick Children, where he ultimately became a professor.
Koren subsequently held the endowed Ivey Chair in Molecular Toxicology at the Schulich School of Medicine at the University of Western Ontario, where he contributed to the establishment of a national program in human toxicology while continuing his work in Toronto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/moleculartoxicology|title=The Ivey Chair in Molecular Toxicology - Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry|publisher=Schulich.uwo.ca|access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref>
===Music career=== In 1971, while studying medicine at Tel Aviv University, Koren founded the Israeli musical group The Brothers & The Sisters, which became one of the notable Israeli groups of the 1970s and 1980s. The band performed many of Koren’s compositions, including children’s songs and musicals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.israel-music.com/gidi_koren|title=Gidi Koren|publisher=Israel-music.com|access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.israel-music.com/dahlia_friedland/tales_shubi_dubi/|title=The Tales of Shubi Dubi|publisher=Israel-music.com|access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.judaicawebstore.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=VT-32102 |access-date=July 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519162740/http://www.judaicawebstore.com/ProductN.aspx?ProductId=1931 |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |title=Eretz Hatavim (Traveling in Musicland). Shlomo Artzi Sings and Speaks , Gifts from Israel | Judaica Web Store }}</ref> In 1974, he collaborated with singer Shlomo Artzi on an album based on his grandmother Keri’s story ''A Journey to Noteland''. A stage musical adaptation of ''A Journey to Noteland'' premiered in Israel in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kochavi |first=Noya |date=October 15, 2008 |title=A trip to the 70s |url=http://www.mouse.co.il/CM.articles_item,1022,209,28700,.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521195121/http://www.mouse.co.il/CM.articles_item,1022,209,28700,.aspx |archive-date=May 21, 2011 |access-date=13 November 2014 |website=City Mouse}}</ref>
In 1992, Koren founded the Bear Theatre at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/living/article/239323|title=Reassuring message helps young patients|work=thestar.com|date=28 July 2007|access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com/fpLarge/photo/239948 |title=TheStar.com - Photo Viewer |website=www.thestar.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929155203/http://www.thestar.com/fpLarge/photo/239948 |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sickkids.ca/tails |title=The Hospital for Sick Children - Tails in Bear Theatre |access-date=2007-03-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928093743/http://www.sickkids.ca/tails/ |archive-date=2007-09-28 }}</ref> In 2005, The Brothers & The Sisters toured North America following the publication of a bilingual commemorative volume of the poetry of Natan Yonatan, accompanied by a CD of Koren’s musical settings of the poems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bros-and-sis.com/images/press_natanyonatan1.jpg|title=Songs Carved Into Cliffs|publisher=Bros-and-sis.com|access-date=13 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207021022/http://www.bros-and-sis.com/images/press_natanyonatan1.jpg|archive-date=7 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Within the Song to Live |url=http://www.bros-and-sis.com/album_lihyot.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121022954/http://www.bros-and-sis.com/album_lihyot.shtml |archive-date=November 21, 2014 |access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref> The group continues to perform in Israel, often featuring Koren’s compositions, many of which are set to works by Israeli poets.
== Medical career and controversies == Koren founded the Motherisk Program at the Hospital for Sick Children in 1985, which he directed until his retirement in 2015.<ref name="retire">{{Cite news |last1=Gallant |first1=Jacques |date=11 September 2016 |title=Sick Kids Hospital, Motherisk director point fingers at each other in class-action lawsuit | the Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/11/hospital-motherisk-director-point-fingers-at-each-other-in-class-action-lawsuit.html |newspaper=The Toronto Star}}</ref> The program later closed following concerns about the reliability of its forensic toxicology testing, which had been used in thousands of child protection and criminal cases. An independent review concluded that the laboratory staff lacked the necessary expertise for forensic work.<ref name="cbc.ca" />
===Deferiprone controversy=== {{ disputed |date= January 2009}} In 1996, controversy arose over the drug deferiprone, used in the treatment of thalassemia. Koren supported its use for certain patients, while Toronto hematologist Nancy Olivieri raised concerns about its safety and efficacy.<ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Diav-Citrin O, Atanackovic G, Koren G |title=An investigation into variability in the therapeutic response to deferiprone in patients with thalassemia major |journal=Therapeutic Drug Monitoring |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=74–81 |date=February 1999 |pmid=10051057 |doi=10.1097/00007691-199902000-00011}}{{Retracted|doi=10.1097/FTD.0000000000000607|pmid=30768496|http://retractionwatch.com/2019/02/19/controversial-pediatrics-researcher-has-20-year-old-paper-retracted-for-misconduct/ ''Retraction Watch''|http://retractionwatch.com/?s=gideon+koren ''Retraction Watch''|intentional=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Olivieri NF, Brittenham GM, McLaren CE, etal |title=Long-term safety and effectiveness of iron-chelation therapy with deferiprone for thalassemia major |journal=The New England Journal of Medicine |volume=339 |issue=7 |pages=417–23 |date=August 1998 |pmid=9700174 |doi=10.1056/NEJM199808133390701|doi-access=free }}</ref> During the dispute, Koren sent five anonymous letters to Olivieri and three other colleagues and initially denied responsibility.<ref>Report by the CPSO Discipline Committee, p.3</ref> Two inquiries—by the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)—found that Koren had authored the letters and misrepresented his role until confronted with DNA evidence taken from the envelopes.<ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.1038/74596 |year=2000 |last1=Bonetta |first1=Laura |journal=Nature Medicine |volume=6 |pages=364 |pmid=10742127 |title=Hate-mail author trapped by DNA. |issue=4|s2cid=5342331 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.1038/76146 |year=2000 |last1=Birmingham |first1=Karen |journal=Nature Medicine |volume=6 |pages=609–10 |pmid=10835652 |title=No dismissal for hate-mail author. |issue=6 |s2cid=37793823 }}</ref> Both bodies also cited academic misconduct in connection with a related publication, though CAUT stated the misconduct should not be described as fraudulent. The CPSO formally reprimanded Koren for the letters and his repeated denials.
=== Scientific misconduct === In December 2018, The Toronto Star reported problems in more than 400 scientific papers coauthored by Koren, including inadequate peer review, undeclared conflicts of interest, and inaccuracies in methodology.<ref name="MendelsonR">{{cite web |last1=Mendelson |first1=Rachel |last2=Henry |first2=Michele |last3=Bailey |first3=Andrew |title=Inside the flawed world of medical publishing that allowed a lie in a paper coauthored by Dr. Gideon Koren to pollute the scientific record |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2018/12/21/inside-the-flawed-world-of-medical-publishing-that-allowed-a-lie-in-a-paper-coauthored-by-dr-gideon-koren-to-pollute-the-scientific-record.html |website=The Star |publisher=Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. |date=2018-12-21|access-date=2019-02-20}}</ref> This reporting led to retractions and editorial expressions of concern regarding several of his publications. In 2019, Koren threatened legal action against the editor of ''Therapeutic Drug Monitoring'' after one of his papers was retracted.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oransky |first1=Ivan |title=Controversial pediatrics researcher has 20-year-old paper retracted for misconduct |url=https://retractionwatch.com/2019/02/19/controversial-pediatrics-researcher-has-20-year-old-paper-retracted-for-misconduct/#more-86981 |website=Retraction Watch |date=2019-02-19 |access-date=2019-02-20}}</ref> In February 2019, he agreed to relinquish his licence to practice medicine in Ontario while under investigation by the CPSO for alleged professional misconduct and incompetence in relation to the Motherisk laboratory. He also agreed not to reapply for a medical licence in Ontario.<ref name="gallant" />
The Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons also cited him for additional misconduct in research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Koren Reprimanded by Ontario College of Physicians & Surgeons |url=https://www.cautbulletin.ca/en_article.asp?ArticleID=784 |access-date=2016-03-02 |website=www.cautbulletin.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gallant |first=Jacques |date=2014-11-22 |title=How prominent doctor built the Hospital for Sick Children's Motherisk program into a leading world authority on drugs and pregnant and lactating women |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/11/22/inside_the_career_of_motherisk_founder_dr_gideon_koren.html |access-date=2016-03-02 |newspaper=The Toronto Star |issn=0319-0781}}</ref>
As of 2022, six of his research publications have been retracted, three have received an expression of concern, and four others have been corrected.<ref name="rw_database">{{cite web |title=Retraction Watch Database |url=http://retractiondatabase.org/RetractionSearch.aspx#?auth%3dKoren%252c%2bGideon |website=Retraction Watch |publisher=The Center for Scientific Integrity |access-date=2022-07-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Marcus |first1=Adam |title=Report by former Motherisk lab director of cocaine exposure in a child is subjected to an expression of concern |url=https://retractionwatch.com/2021/10/29/report-by-former-motherisk-lab-director-of-cocaine-exposure-in-a-child-is-subjected-to-an-expression-of-concern/#more-123416 |website=Retraction Watch |date=29 October 2021 |publisher=Center for Scientific Integrity |access-date=2021-11-05}}</ref>
===Books=== Koren has published 15 medical books,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Hospital for Sick Children - Motherisk |url=http://www.motherisk.org/women/books.jsp |access-date=13 November 2014 |publisher=Motherisk.org}}</ref> among them: * ''Retinoids in Clinical Practice: The Risk-Benefit Ratio (Medical Toxicology)''. New York: M. Dekker, 1993. ({{ISBN|0824787781}}) * ''The Children of Neverland: The Silent Human Disaster''. Toronto: Kid in Us, 1997. ({{ISBN|0968180108}}) * ''The Complete Guide to Everyday Risks in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Answers to Your Questions About Morning Sickness, Medications, Herbs, Diseases, Chemical Exposures & More''. Toronto: R. Rose, 2004. ({{ISBN|0-7788-0084-9}}) * ''Medication Safety in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding''. New York: McGraw-Hill, Health Professions Division, 2007. ({{ISBN|0071448284}}) * ''Medication Safety in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: The Evidence-Based, A to Z Clinician's Pocket Guide''. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical, 2007. ({{ISBN|0071448276}})
== See also == * List of scientific misconduct incidents
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== * {{Cite web|url=http://www.motherisk.org/women/researchersDetail.jsp?content_id=552|title=Gideon Koren Hospital for Sick Children biography|date=3 December 2019}} * {{Cite web|url=http://www.utpress.utoronto.ca/cgi-bin/cw2w3.cgi?p=knox&t=66497&d=1246 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070811213617/http://www.utpress.utoronto.ca/cgi-bin/cw2w3.cgi?p=knox&t=66497&d=1246 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-08-11 |title=Canadian Who's Who Gideon Koren entry }} * {{Cite web|url=http://www.clinpharmtox.utoronto.ca/faculty/Koren_Biosketch.htm|title=Dr. Gideon Koren BioSketch U. Toronto|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906093920/http://www.clinpharmtox.utoronto.ca/faculty/Koren_Biosketch.htm|archive-date=2010-09-06}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Koren, Gideon}} Category:1947 births Category:Living people Category:Canadian medical researchers Category:Canadian toxicologists Category:Canadian pediatricians Category:Canadian pharmacologists Category:Israeli songwriters Category:Israeli emigrants to Canada Category:Jewish Canadian musicians Category:Jewish Canadian non-fiction writers Category:Jewish songwriters Category:Jews from Mandatory Palestine Category:Health professionals from Tel Aviv Category:Musicians from Tel Aviv Category:Academic staff of the University of Toronto Category:Academic staff of the University of Western Ontario Category:Tichon Hadash High School (Tel Aviv) alumni Category:People from Kiryat Ono Category:Tel Aviv University alumni