Research and society: a relationship with two faces.

Biomedical research has been and will continue to be essential for improving the quality of life but is also the origin of many of society's adverse reactions and problems. These are related to such issues as unfulfilled hopes, ethical considerations, potential misuse and financial constraints. They particularly endanger basic research and favour non-scientific-based practices in medicine. Future challenges for research include continuous improvement of its quality, conscientiousness, responsibility, communication with society and critical openness for unconventional approaches.