Healthy Skepticism Library item: 555

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Horton R.
Conflicts of interest in clinical research: opprobrium or obsession?
Lancet 1997 Apr 19; 349:(9059):1112-3

Abstract:

The weight of opinion about conflicts of interest is that they should be disclosed to editors and readers alike. However, the case in favour of full disclosure rests on three falacies: 1) the notion that scientific writing can be free from the common prejudiceds found in other literatures or journalism or that if prejudice does exist it can be easily neutralized by a statement of disclosure; 2) financial conflicts of interest are those that cause the most concern; 3) disclosure can heal the wound inflicted by a financial conflict. Our obsession with conflicts of interest may harm free discussion in science.

Keywords:
*analysis Lancet scientific publications conflict of interest disclosure relationship between researchers, academic institutions and industry REGULATION, CODES, GUIDELINES: JOURNALS AND MASS MEDIA