What is a “conflict of interest”? A conflict of interest occurs when someone in a position of trust has competing professional or personal interests. These competing interests can possibly interfere with the person’s ability to remain impartial as they fulfill their duties. A conflict of interest involves not just the issue in question,but also people’s perception of the issue and who is involved in making a decision. A conflict of interest exists even if no unethical or inappropriate decisions are made.

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