Can You Believe Clinical Research?

Recently Dr Richard Horton the editor in chief of Lancet and Dr Marcia Angell who holds the same position at the New England Journal of Medicine made surprising revelations for people in their positions. They both said that research published in their journals was unreliable at best, if not completely false.

Dr Horton went on to say "much of the scientific literature, perhaps half, may simply be untrue. Afflicted by studies with  small sample sizes, tiny effects, invalid exploratory analysis, and flagrant conflicts of interest, together with an obsession for pursuing fashionable trends of dubious importance. Science has taken a turn towards darkness."

Dr Angell voices a comparable concern. She says "it is simply no longer possible to believe much  of the clinical research that is published".

Strong words indeed from editors of 2 of the most respected medical journals anywhere! Aren't they concerned about their jobs? I guess they couldn't sleep good at night and had to clear their consciences. So, who can we trust?

More and more it appears one must be extremely discerning.

PAF hikers on the Temelpa Trail on the south side of Marin's Mt. Tamalpais