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Spheres of Influence
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The Right to the Research Abstract
The controversial findings of several recent scientific studies have prompted serious debate over whether the public should have access to the results of federally funded research. The argument that publicly funded researchers should provide access to data is based on the contention that the use of public dollars makes the data public property. Industry has been the most vocal proponent of the public right to access, mainly because research, particularly in the health and environmental arenas, is often used as the basis for laws, rules, and policies that exact compliance costs. In addition, some findings may lead to litigation. But scientists have traditionally been hesitant to release their carefully researched data to the public for several reasons, including the confidentiality of the study subjects, the possibility that outside parties would reinterpret the data to support their own positions, potential distortion of the scientific process due to release prior to the completion of the academic review process, and competition among scientists. Some argue that, just as sources of information used in scientific research deserve confidentiality, scientists deserve to not have their work rushed into public view prematurely. Still, industry groups that are faced with footing a hefty bill for meeting tightly revised standards remain keenly interested in the issue of how to strike a balance between scientific autonomy and the public's right to know.
[Full Article] Last Update: December 12, 1997
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