If you know of specific instances of censorship in scientific research, then you know the consequences can be infinite. When an educational institution or pharmaceutical company or research organization falsifies data to meet the ideological desires of a benefactor, the censorship can influence millions of people and change the face of the future forever. For example, if a study on a new designer drug suggested that the medicine in question could cause severe illness, the failure to publish that study for financial reasons would constitute censorship.
Although most cases of censorship in scientific research are not, per se, illegal, the ramifications can extend beyond consumer outrage. Since science tends to build on itself, subsequent studies and research that rely on falsified data will also be called into question, which can create a long-term setback for the scientific community at large.
The reasons for censorship in scientific research are widespread, and usually boil down to the financial concerns of publishing certain material. For example, let’s say that you’ve developed a new psychological theory. A large biomedical company supports your research and gives you money to complete it, mostly because their company can benefit from your findings. If your research doesn’t support your original theory, however, you might be pressured to alter the findings or scrap the study entirely to start anew.
Of course, censorship in scientific research can be a product of mere pride. If you’ve spent fifty years developing a theory that you hope to one day prove in fact, the embarrassment of a study that doesn’t support your theory could be overwhelming. In this case, the pressure to falsify scientific research would come from within rather than from without, but the implications are nonetheless serious.
Because the law has developed protections for employees and vendors concerning whistle blowing, it is possible for people to stand up for ethical standards in scientific research. If you know of censorship that could be affecting people negatively, it is your responsibility to make the public aware of this infringement. There are two main ways to get it done:
Talk to Your Employer. You might be able to stop censorship in scientific research by talking to the person in charge of the study. Let them know that you don’t approve of their methods, and ask casually what the rest of the community would think of such behavior. Don’t make threats or extort anything from that person; simply make it clear that you’re going to go public if it doesn’t stop.
Involve the Media. Sometimes, the best way to stop censorship in scientific research is to involve mainstream media. As soon as journalists are given a credible tip, they will attempt to verify the information, then publish stories on it. The only thing more detrimental to research than poor findings is negative publicity.
Once you’ve brought censorship in scientific research to light, the behavior should end, and the company or individual will be exposed. There is no reason to allow it to continue, especially if it puts lives at stake, as most falsified biomedical research will.
You should also know that censorship in scientific research can lead to many lawsuits filed by wronged parties. For example, if a study determining the detrimental effects of a medicine were suppressed from the public, anyone who took that drug might be able to file suit. This is how many class action judgments are awarded, so the financial ramifications of committing such fraud could outweigh the benefits of not releasing information.
