Comment on news article by Dr. Susan Hardwicke
Conflicts of interest in cancer research occur when one or more researchers is employed by a funding source. Conflicts of interest are reported in about 29% of all cancer studies reported in journals. Moreover, positive research findings are more likely when there is a conflict of interest, raising the question of objectivity.
Objectivity is of prime importance when researching pharmaceuticals, because of potential life-threatening results." (Recall that deaths related to Vioxx numbered in the tens of thousands.)" Bias in designing studies can be conscious or unconscious, and may result in positive findingsâ€â€i.e., that the new drug is effective without harmful side effects.
Positive research results affect FDA drug approval and physician prescriptions.
U-M radiation oncology researcher Reshma Jagsi, MD, D. Phil., believes that simply disclosing the conflict of interest is not sufficient for public safety.
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