- Questions have been raised over the accuracy of a research paper published in Nature which claimed to have simplified the process of reprogramming mice cells to pluripotent stem cells (capable of developing into any specialized tissue) which are more versatile than embryonic stem cells.
- Why were charges levied?
- Scientists were unable to replicate the study in their labs
- About 20 pages of the report appears to have been plagiarised from articles in National Institute of Health,
- Images used were produced through an experiment completely different from the published work,
- Two stem-cell lines produced from a particular strain of mouse have been found to come from different strains.
- Reaction of Riken centre for Developmental Biology, Kobe, where this research was carried out:
- Labelled the actions as “scientific misconduct”
- Dismissed 4 problems as innocent errors
- Manipulation of images was adjudged as an attempt to falsify data
- But the core issue of examining the authenticity and accuracy of the experiments we ignored.
- Previously, a South Korean scientist had been charged of falsifying data in his paper on stem cell research. Stronger measures should be implemented to prevent occurrence of such incidents.
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/another-case-of-fraud-in-science/article5913157.ece
Exams Perspective:
- Stem Cells
- Pluripotent Stem Cells
- iPluripotent Stem Cells