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A study exposes conflicts of interest in scientific research.

1996

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Researcher Sheldon Krimsky of Tufts University studies nearly 800 scientific papers in prominent biology and medical journals. He finds that one-third of all authors of medical and biology research papers have financial interests in the company that benefits from the research.

Authors are said to “possess a financial interest” if they are listed as inventors in a patent or in a patent application that is closely related to their published work; serve on the scientific advisory board of a biotechnology company; or are officers, directors, or major shareholders (who are the beneficial owner of 10% or more of stock issued) in a firm that has commercial interests related to their research. This information is not disclosed to readers in most cases.