EDINBURGH CANCER RESEARCHER DANA FARATIAN CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the academic and medical communities in Edinburgh, Dr.Dana Faratian, a prominent cancer researcher, was found to have been involved in accessing and possessing indecent images of children.
The incident, which came to light in December 2011, led to a series of legal and professional repercussions that have significantly impacted his career and personal life.
Faratian, who was working at the University of Edinburgh, was arrested after police acted on intelligence suggesting he had been viewing a notorious Romanian website known for hosting illegal and graphic child abuse material.
Officers raided his flat located in Edinburgh’s Newington area, where they seized his laptop for forensic examination.
The analysis revealed that the device contained 151 images depicting young girls aged between six and 14, with some classified under the most severe category, Level 5, indicating the most serious and explicit content.
Following his arrest, Faratian was taken to Edinburgh Sheriff Court in August 2012, where he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.
As part of his sentencing, he was ordered to complete a community payback order, which included supervision for three years.
Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register, marking a significant and public acknowledgment of his conviction.
The court’s decision reflected the gravity of his actions, which were deemed to have severely impaired his fitness to practice medicine.
Prior to these events, Faratian was a respected figure in the field of cancer research.
He had contributed to over 50 scientific papers published in reputable journals such as the European and British Journals of Cancer.
In 2009, he led a pioneering study for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit.
His work was highly regarded, and he was involved in a £150,000 project funded by Medical Research Scotland, focusing on colon cancer.
However, the scandal led to the immediate termination of this funding, with the charity’s trustees citing the discovery of child abuse images as the reason for their decision.
Faratian’s professional downfall extended beyond the university.
The General Medical Council (GMC) suspended him from its register in July 2012, following his arrest and guilty plea.
Despite the severity of his actions, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in Manchester decided not to permanently remove him from the medical register.
Instead, they imposed a 12-month suspension, citing his acknowledgment of his misconduct and the exceptional circumstances surrounding his case.
The tribunal’s chair, Richard Davies, acknowledged the offense as “deplorable and repugnant,” but emphasized that Faratian had demonstrated remorse and had been transparent about his actions.
During the hearing, Faratian expressed deep remorse, revealing that he had spent approximately 2,000 hours over two decades viewing pornography, which he claimed spiraled out of control following personal tragedies, including the deaths of his grandmother and father, and the relocation of his wife and children to Leeds at the beginning of 2011.
He admitted to accessing the Romanian website on five occasions between October and December 2011, describing the most extreme images as “frankly disgusting” and “horrible.” The doctor broke down emotionally as he recounted the impact of his actions on his family, particularly his young daughter and son, whom he had not seen in over two years.
Now in a new relationship, Faratian has claimed that he has not accessed any pornography since his arrest and has vowed never to view such “dirty pictures” again.
He also expressed hope for rehabilitation and a desire to rebuild his life, despite the damage caused by his misconduct.
Colleagues and acquaintances at Edinburgh University have expressed their shock and disappointment.
One former associate remarked that they had no idea about the true reason behind his suspension from the GMC, believing instead that he had resigned for a new career opportunity in London.
The revelation of his criminal conduct has been described as a “double whammy,” given his previous reputation as a talented and highly regarded researcher.
His departure from the university was swift, with officials confirming that his research responsibilities have been reassigned and that his projects will continue without interruption.
Faratian, originally from England, moved to Scotland in the 1990s to study medicine at Edinburgh University.
He married fellow medical graduate Tania in 2005 in the city’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
The couple, who have two young children, have since separated, with his wife relocating to Leeds.
Despite his personal troubles, Faratian’s professional contributions to cancer research remain notable.
He authored numerous scientific papers and led significant studies, including a kidney cancer project funded with nearly half a million pounds of public money, which is set to continue despite his departure.
In summary, the case of Dr.
Dana Faratian highlights the profound consequences of criminal behavior, even for those in esteemed professional positions.
His actions have not only resulted in legal sanctions and professional suspension but have also cast a long shadow over his career and personal life, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity and accountability in the medical and scientific communities in Edinburgh.
