How science goes wrong
Scientific research has changed the world. Now it needs to change itself
A SIMPLE idea underpins science: “trust, but verify”. Results should always be subject to challenge from experiment. That simple but powerful idea has generated a vast body of knowledge. Since its birth in the 17th century, modern science has changed the world beyond recognition, and overwhelmingly for the better.
But success can breed complacency. Modern scientists are doing too much trusting and not enough verifying—to the detriment of the whole of science, and of humanity.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline "How science goes wrong"
From the October 19th 2013 edition
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