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Research fraud is equally common in 30,000 or so scientific journals, says former editor of BMJ
It is likely that research fraud is equally common in 30,000 or so scientific journals and it is invariably covered up. This poisoning of the well of scientific research requires a strong national and international response, says Dr Richard Smith, former editor of the BMJ (British Medical Journal), in an article to be published in the May issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.
“There are 30,000 scientific journals throughout the world continuously publishing new research,”says Dr Smith.
“But few countries have measures in place to ensure research is carried out ethically.”
One of the most dramatic cases ever of fraudulent research involved the Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk, who claimed in 2005 to have produced stem cells from adult cells, which opened up new ways to treat Parkinson’s and other degenerative diseases. In January this year, Seoul National University concluded much of the research was fabricated.
Dr Smith comments:
“Responses to fraud are driven by scandals, such as the Korean stem cell research case. In the past 20 years some countries have recognised increasing examples of fraud and understand that it has to be managed rather than ignored. Progress, however, can be excruciatingly slow.”
Dr Smith believes a full response to the problem of research misconduct requires national bodies to provide leadership. These already exist in the USA and the Nordic countries. The UK Research Integrity Office was created last month to develop a code of practice for staff working in the NHS, universities, and the health industry. However, unlike its counterpart in the USA, the UK office will not investigate allegations of fraud or unethical working. This will remain the responsibility of employers or sponsors.
While the national efforts are to be commended, Dr Smith is convinced a joint international response is required, working to common definitions and principles.
The definition of research misconduct varies between countries and, as a result, there is no definitive answer on how commonly it occurs. Mike Farthing, the chairman of the Committee on Publication Ethics, estimates that major institutions in Britain have one serious case a year, which means about 50 cases a year across the country.
“Most cases are not publicised,”says Dr Smith.
“They are simply not recognised, covered up altogether or the guilty researcher is urged to retrain, move to another institution or retire from research.”
“This is common throughout the international scientific community. In the USA, for example, a researcher faked transplantation experiments over a number of years. But when his misconduct was finally acknowledged, his behaviour was attributed to a mental health problem.”
“This response is seen repeatedly and is simply a form of scientific denial. In the UK alone at least £1 billion a year of public money is going into medical research. Medical institutions have a duty to ensure research is carried out ethically.”
Journal editors have an important part to play in the response to research misconduct, since they are often the first to see research results. In the UK, the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), founded in 1997, raises awareness amongst editors.”
“Editors wondering what to do with cases of suspected misconduct can call on COPE for advice,”adds Dr Smith.
“The Committee has also published draft guidelines on good publication practice. In many ways editors are privileged ‘whistleblowers’ with the power to publish and expose institutions who fail to investigate alleged research misconduct.”
Dr Kamran Abbasi, editor of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, welcomes the introduction of the UK Research Integrity Office as an important step in gathering information about the extent of scientific fraud in the UK.
“Research misconduct is alive and well. It distorts the scientific record, rewards fraudsters, and punishes patients and funders of healthcare who are tricked into investing their time, money, and hopes in treatments that do not work. The challenge for the new research integrity office will be to create a climate that encourages whistle-blowing and catalyses institutions to abandon their cover-up culture. This is no easy task.”
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Research misconduct: the poisoning of the well [PDF 65k]
'Research misconduct: the poisoning of the well’ by R Smith is published in the May issue (Vol. 99) in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. This is a much shortened chapter from Dr Richard Smith’s new book provisionally entitled
“The Trouble with Medical Journals”that is to be published by RSM Press in Autumn 2006
JRSM is the flagship journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. It has been published continuously since 1809. Its Editor is Dr Kamran Abbasi.
