### Question
What does conflict of interest mean?


### Answer
**Conflict of interest** has the following meaning in *42 U.S.C. § 1320e*:

> an association, including a financial or personal association, that have [1](#1320e_1_target) the potential to bias or have [1](#1320e_1_target) the appearance of biasing an individual's decisions in matters related to the Institute or the conduct of activities under this section

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 1320e*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 7-SOCIAL SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER XI-GENERAL PROVISIONS, PEER REVIEW, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION > Part D-Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research**

