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September 17, 2005

Widespread fraud in science

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The next time you are warned about the dangers of global warming, or the need for fetal stem cell research, consider this report.

...according to the first large—scale survey of scientific misbehavior.

More than 5 percent of scientists answering a confidential questionnaire admitted to having tossed out data because the information contradicted their previous research or said they had circumvented some human research protections....

more than 15 percent admitted they had changed a study's design or results to satisfy a sponsor, or ignored observations because they had a "gut feeling" they were inaccurate.

That's just the ones who admit it. There is a serious problem, not limited to the abuses described.

Hat tip: Ed Lasky

Thomas Lifson   6 9 05