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Fraud and misconduct in science: the stem cell seduction

Implications for the peer-review process

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Abstract

Scientific misconduct and fraud occur in science. The (anonymous) peer review process serves as goalkeeper of scientific quality rather than scientific integrity. In this brief paper we describe some limitations of the peer-review process. We describe the catastrophic facts of the ‘Woo-Suk Hwang fraud case’ and raise some ethical concerns about the issue. Finally, we pay attention to plagiarism, autoplagiarism and double publications. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:25-9.)

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Correspondence to M. A. G. van der Heyden.

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Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, and Experimental Cardiology Group, Center for Heart Failure Research, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

M.A.G. van der Heyden Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, the Netherlands

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van der Heyden, M.A.G., van de Derks Ven, T. & Opthof, T. Fraud and misconduct in science: the stem cell seduction. NHJL 17, 25–29 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03086211

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03086211

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