Scientists are studying stem cells
in hopes to be able to grow them artificially. If stem cells can be produced
they can be used to replace old or diseased cells, increase the understanding
of diseases, and to develop new treatments for illnesses. If stem cells could
be produced easily and cheaply, it would be a huge break for the medical
community. This makes the pressures to find the answers on how to produce the
stem cells astronomical.
Many scientists desperately want to
be the one to discover something new that they give into the temptation to
falsely claim they have done it. Quite often these researchers get away with
it. The problem is so wide spread; affecting the validity of scientist all over
the world.
Trying to prove how wide spread
this epidemic is, the head of cancer research “Glenn Begley” took 53 new and
innovative experiments and attempted to reproduce the documented findings.
After many attempts, he could only prove 6. Then the Bayer Company did a test
of 67 of these “groundbreaking” researches. Sadly, they could only prove about
15 of them.
Recently in the news a Chinese
scientist was caught fabricating her studies and results on stem cells.
Professor Obokata published
two articles claiming that she could change everyday body cells into embryonic
cells, and do it in a very simple way. Her techniques were supposed to be much
quicker and less damaging to the cells than any previous methods.
Professor Obolata claimed that after using her easy methodology, the old
cells become similar to stem cells. This allows the cells to become young again
and grown into any type of cell in the body. It also was supposed to get better
cell results than previous practices, doing less damage to the cells, or cause
them to turn cancerous.
Yet, within just days, her theories were disproven and she was
publically disgraced.
I believe Professor Obolata made these false claims for several reasons:
1.
She was very young, as researchers go.
2.
She is a female in a very male dominate culture.
3.
Pressure from the scientific community to
perform.
4.
Her appetite and desires overruled her reasoning
and morals.
As explained in chapter 8,
Rosenstand (2013), (pp. 408-410), Plato explains how an individual needs to use
his/ her reasoning to guide their willpower. Using both the reasoning and
willpower one could control his / her appetites (desires).
Professor Obolata was so badly
caught up in her own desires and pressure from the scientific community that her
reasoning, decision making, and willpower were clouded. Thus, allowing her
desire, to be the first to make a discovery, to rule her actions.
When I read this article, I was
completely taken aback. I could not believe how the community that searches for
“truth” could be so corrupt. What a shame.
References:
Rasko J., & Power C., What pushes scientists to lie? The disturbing
but familiar story of Haruko Obokata (2015) , retrieved from:
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/18/haruko-obokata-stap-cells-controversy-scientists-lie
Rosenstrand, N. (2013) The Moral of the Story, pp. 408-410
Mayo Clinic, Stem Cell Transplant (2013), retrieved from:http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/stem-cell-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117
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