Should Scientific Fraud Be a Criminal Offense?

When fake science kills, should the perpetrator walk free?

Scientific fraud isn’t just an ethical breach — it can kill. The case of cardiologist Don Poldermans, whose falsified research on beta blockers led to potentially hundreds of thousands of deaths, highlights the deadly consequences of scientific dishonesty.

Despite the gravity of such misconduct, current consequences are shockingly mild, with many fraudulent scientists facing little more than job loss or temporary grant ineligibility. The lack of accountability raises a critical question: Should scientific fraud be prosecuted as a criminal offense?

Proponents argue that legal consequences could deter intentional falsification and prevent future harm, while others fear it could stifle research by making the process overly legalistic.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear—our current system of handling scientific fraud is woefully inadequate, leaving us to wonder: How many lives must be lost before real change is made?

Read the full article on Vox.

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