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The impact of conflict of interest on trust in science

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Abstract

Conflicts of interest have an erosive effect on trust in science, damaging first the attitude of the public toward scientists and their research, but also weakening the trusting interdependence of scientists. Disclosure is recognized as the key tool for management of conflicts, but rules with sanctions must be improved, new techniques for avoidance of financial conflicts by alternative funding of evaluative research must be sought, and there must be new thinking about institutional conflicts of interest. Our profession is education, and both the public and research professionals of all ages would benefit from greater understanding of how science should and does work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093-8756, 5644 Soledad Road, 92037-7048, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Paul J. Friedman MD (Professor Emeritus of Radiology)

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  1. Paul J. Friedman MD
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Correspondence to Paul J. Friedman MD.

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Friedman, P.J. The impact of conflict of interest on trust in science. SCI ENG ETHICS 8, 413–420 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-002-0063-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-002-0063-9

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