[SGRupdate] Corporate Influence on Science is Compromising its Social and Environmental Benefits

[Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR)]

Corporate Influence on Science is Compromising its Social and
Environmental Benefits

SGR Press Release, 12 October 2009

A new report reveals that the pressure for scientific research to deliver
on short-term commercial aims is compromising its ability to yield social
and environmental benefits.

The report 'Science and the corporate agenda' states that even tax-payer
funded research is now less likely to work in the broader public interest.
These findings are based on extensive evidence across five sectors:
pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, military/defence, biotechnology and tobacco.

The report, from Scientists for Global Responsibility, documents how more
than two decades of government policy has driven a corporate agenda into
the heart of universities, undermining their openness and independence. It
highlights damaging effects in individual research studies, in the
agenda-setting process for R&D, and in the communication of science to the
public. The effects include:

* Research bias – Commercial funding frequently results in only those
research findings favourable to the funder being reported. [3]
* Distorted research agendas – Short-term economic goals often shape
academic research priorities. Research with social and environmental goals
is frequently marginalised. [4]
* Covert funding of science communication – Interest groups, from climate
sceptics to patient groups, have been funded to support an
industry-friendly viewpoint.
* Conflicts of interest – Academics are increasingly tied into commercial
relationships that are not properly monitored.
* Lack of openness – Commercial restrictions have become much more
widespread and are impeding the free exchange of data.

The report makes a series of innovative recommendations, including:

* Measures for improving the transparency of links between researchers,
business, and lobby groups;
* Ways to protect funding of blue-skies discovery and social and
environmental research;
* Proposals for reviewing the role of the university.

Dr Stuart Parkinson, co-author of the report, says "We have gathered
extensive evidence of the damaging effects of the commercial influence on
science and technology. Urgent action – by government and others – is
needed to resolve these problems. Without this, efforts to tackle climate
change, global insecurity and health inequalities will be undermined."

Contact: Dr Stuart Parkinson 07941 953640; <stuartp at sgr.org.uk>

Notes

1. Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) is an independent UK-based
organisation of ethically-concerned science, design and technology
professionals. Founded in 1992, it has approximately 1000 members. For
more details see: http://www.sgr.org.uk/
2. The report is entitled 'Science and the corporate agenda: the
detrimental effects of commercial influence on science and technology'. It
is 80 pages in length and includes over 300 references. It is written by
Dr Chris Langley – author of the acclaimed SGR report 'Soldiers in the
Laboratory' – and Dr Stuart Parkinson, Executive Director of SGR.
3. One major academic study of the pharmaceutical sector found that
commercial funding of research made the reporting of favourable results
three times more likely than independently funded studies (p.26 of the
report).
4. The report discusses examples in security, health, energy, and
agriculture where the R&D which attracts the most resources is that which
suits economic objectives rather broader social or environmental goals. 
5. Pdf copies of the report are available via the corporate science pages
http://www.sgr.org.uk/SciencePolicy/CorporateInfluence.html