Biased underreporting of research is unethical and should be outlawed.
Biased underreporting and multiple or selective publications of clinical trials harm and sometimes kill patients. Publicly funded researchers are not innocent of this form of scientific misconduct, but it is a particular problem in industry-sponsored research. So far, only six pharmaceutical companies have endorsed the "Good Publication Practice for Pharmaceutical Companies Guidelines". It is necessary to register all clinical trials publicly, at inception. Drug companies should be forced to publish all results, regardless of outcome.
Chalmers
Iain
I
James Lind Library, Oxford, England. ichalmers@jameslindlibrary.org
D032984:Ethics, Research; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards; D012106:Research / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards*