Describe a scientific misconduct within the last five years involving some aspect of the process of conducting research or dissemination of findings….Scientific Misconduct in Research…..
One recent example of scientific misconduct within the last five years is the case of Haruko Obokata, a Japanese stem cell researcher. In 2014, Obokata published two papers in the journal Nature, describing a new method for creating pluripotent stem cells, which have the potential to develop into any type of cell in the body. The papers were widely publicized and generated significant excitement in the scientific community.
However, shortly after the papers were published, several other researchers began to question the validity of Obokata’s findings, and it was discovered that she had manipulated and falsified data in her papers. An investigation was launched by the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, where Obokata worked, and it was found that she had committed scientific misconduct, including fabrication and falsification of data.
As a result of the investigation, Nature retracted both of Obokata’s papers, and she resigned from her position at RIKEN. The case received significant media attention, and it raised concerns about the peer-review process and the pressure to produce groundbreaking research in the scientific community.
This case of scientific misconduct is particularly concerning because it was a major breakthrough in the field of stem cell research. The manipulation and falsification of data undermines the integrity of scientific research and potentially delay or prevent the development of new treatments and therapies. It also calls into question the validity of previous research done by her, and the trust that people had in her findings.