Beyond truth and profit: The show must go on, still

Q3 Medicine

Ethics, Medicine and Public Health Pub Date : 2025-01-01 DOI:10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101063

J. Park

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

The stem cell research manipulation scandal involving Dr. Woo Suk Hwang sparked widespread ethical and scientific debate. Previous work published in the Eubios Journal of Asian and International Bioethics [1] explored suspicions surrounding the scandal. This discussion builds on that foundation in light of a recent publication, Ethical Innovation for Global Health, and aims to examine the broader implications of the case.

Objective

To analyze the lessons learned from the Hwang case with an alternative perspective and propose solutions to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Methods

This paper revisits the details of the Hwang scandal, focusing on ethical, financial, and political dimensions, and reviews subsequent developments, including a reevaluation of Hwang’s scientific contributions and their recognition through patents.

Results

Despite the fabrications, key scientific achievements were later corroborated, with the Science journal’s chief editor asserting that the main discoveries remained valid. Hwang’s techniques were even patented by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. However, political forces shifted public focus away from core issues, finally undermining research integrity.

Conclusions

The Hwang scandal highlights the complex interplay of ethics, science, and politics in research misconduct. This paper argues for revisiting the role of social scientists in addressing and understanding scientific scandals to better uphold the integrity of research practices.

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超越真相和利益：演出必须继续，仍然

涉及黄禹锡博士的干细胞研究操纵丑闻引发了广泛的伦理和科学争论。之前发表在《Eubios亚洲和国际生物伦理学杂志》上的研究探讨了围绕该丑闻的怀疑。根据最近出版的《全球卫生的伦理创新》一书，本次讨论建立在这一基础之上，旨在审查该案例的更广泛影响。目的从另一个角度分析黄某事件的教训，并提出防止类似事件再次发生的对策。本文回顾了黄禹锡丑闻的细节，重点关注伦理、财务和政治维度，并回顾了随后的发展，包括对黄禹锡的科学贡献及其通过专利获得的认可的重新评估。尽管存在捏造，但重要的科学成就后来得到了证实，《科学》杂志的主编声称，主要发现仍然有效。黄禹锡的技术甚至获得了美国专利商标局的专利。然而，政治力量将公众的注意力从核心问题上转移开，最终破坏了研究的完整性。黄禹锡丑闻凸显了研究不端行为中伦理、科学和政治的复杂相互作用。本文主张重新审视社会科学家在处理和理解科学丑闻方面的作用，以更好地维护研究实践的完整性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Ethics, Medicine and Public Health Medicine-Health Policy

CiteScore

2.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量

107

审稿时长

42 days

期刊介绍： This review aims to compare approaches to medical ethics and bioethics in two forms, Anglo-Saxon (Ethics, Medicine and Public Health) and French (Ethique, Médecine et Politiques Publiques). Thus, in their native languages, the authors will present research on the legitimacy of the practice and appreciation of the consequences of acts towards patients as compared to the limits acceptable by the community, as illustrated by the democratic debate.