Scientists Spin Negative Research To Look Good For Money As People Die

Scientists are no strangers to spinning their research, a new study -- presumably not spun -- shows. More than half of 72 reports examined by French and British researchers had dressed up their conclusions to make it seem as if new treatments were beneficial, even though they weren't according to the statistics in the report. For instance, one study concluded a cancer detection system worked, but couldn't back it up with actual results, Dr Isabelle Boutron of the Universite Paris Descartes in France who worked on the study told Reuters. Earlier research has shown that findings are often spun when money is involved -- for instance when a drug maker funds a study of its own product. In such cases, favorable conclusions may directly contradict the actual results. When a clinical study was published in 2000 comparing Vioxx with an older drug, the authors downplayed the risk of heart attack: Instead of reporting the five-fold increase in risk, they chose to frame it as a protective effect of the older drug. "I supposed it will change the way I review papers," said Dr Boutron.

Frederik Joelving, Reuters

GMC Findings: Dr Andrew Wakefield, Professor John Walker-Smith & Professor Simon Murch

From Left: Dr Andrew Wakefield
Professor John Walker-Smith
Professor Simon Murch

The General Medical Council Panel has determined that the names of Dr Andrew Wakefield and Professor John Walker-Smith's should be erased from the Medical Register for serious professional misconduct. The Panel found that Professor Simon Murch is not guilty of serious professional misconduct. Professor Murch is free to continue unrestricted medical practice. One Click publishes the Full Text of the GMC findings.

Information Release, General Medical Council