It is interesting to see the different slant of answers. Some, as I did, commented on what *should* be done on ethical grounds. Most have commented on what *needs* be done, i.e. what one can get away with, and some clearly regard the two as synoni ... synona... damn, the same.

I purposely didn't take up the "is it professional" question, because that expression is so often used as an emotive beating stick.
BTW, a couple of posters have well described professional. Its a combination of type of job and type of attitude. Most certainly it's nowt to do with paper qualifications as such.

Terry L Marshall B.A.(Law), M.B.Ch.B., F.R.C.Path
Consultant Histopathologist
Rotherham General Hospital, Yorkshire
terry.marshall@rgh-tr.trent.nhs.uk