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Editors Selection IGR 15-2

Objectivity of Science: Industry-funded trials can be accurate

Comment by George Spaeth on:

48123 Evaluation of investigator bias in industry-funded clinical trials of latanoprost, Jinapriya D; Anraku A; Alasbali T et al., Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, 2011; 46: 531-536

Find related abstracts

'He who pays the piper calls the tune.' Every person is able and in some situations, to be seduced ‐ seduced by money, fame, dreams of glory, sexual favors, or whatever else is important to that person's self-image. Some people can even be seduced by something that makes them feel certain that they are not being seduced.

Science is supposed to be objective. There is no such thing as total objectivity. It is self-delusion to think that we can measure something with perfect precision. To think that one is objective, or even that complete objectivity is possible is a type of self-deception.

There is a great deal of attention paid to the biasing influences of industry. Biases caused by a desire for fame or reputation are rarely mentioned, but are probably as or more important in causing biased measurements and invalid interpretations

The question, however, is not whether every measurement or conclusion is subjective due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that we are all susceptible to seduction. The issue is whether the effects of such subjectivity and bias can be reduced to a level where the outcomes approach validity, where they are at least reasonably accurate. There is a great deal of attention paid to the biasing influences of industry. Biases caused by a desire for fame or reputation are rarely mentioned, but are probably as or more important in causing biased measurements and invalid interpretations. However, industry is often held responsible for results that are thought to be not believable because methodology was designed improperly or the results altered to make them more suitable to what industry wants. Studies support this contention.^1-3

When investigators develop the methodology, own the data, and write the paper themselves, the conclusions can be accurate, even when a study is funded by industry

The article by Jinapraya et al (2167), reviewed here, appears to demonstrate that industry-funded trials, however, need not lead to noticeably biased results. This is refreshing and important. The study methodology is sound. The conclusions are probably adequately valid. What it suggests is that when investigators develop the methodology, own the data, and write the paper themselves, the conclusions can be accurate, even when a study is funded by industry.

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