Science Under Attack: Experts Warn of Rising Threats to Research Integrity

The role of science in shaping health and policy is under increasing pressure, with growing threats to publishing integrity, research funding, and public trust. At the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress 2025, experts outlined the dangers posed by predatory journals, political interference, and industry-driven misinformation—while calling on medical societies and early-career researchers to take a more active role in safeguarding scientific independence.

Experts at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress 2025 highlight threats to scientific integrity from misinformation, political interference, and predatory publishing in health research. | Image credit: ipopba - stock.adobe.com

Predatory Publishing and Political Pressures

Joel Kaufman, MD, MPH, professor of environmental epidemiology at the University of Washington and editor in chief of Environmental Health Perspectives, highlighted the vulnerabilities of the current publishing landscape. The shift to open-access publishing has created opportunities for broader dissemination of research but has also fueled the rise of predatory journals that prioritize volume and profit over quality and integrity.

Kaufman explained that structural problems in research funding compound these challenges, leaving many journals financially unstable. He also described how political ideologies can directly interfere with scientific independence. Citing recent US executive orders, Kaufman detailed how funding for diversity, climate change, and gender-related research has been rolled back, sometimes with grants canceled after approval. In such cases, political appointees override peer review processes, threatening careers and undermining trust in science.

“The fragility of science becomes clear when political actors are able to censor ideas and cancel projects that had already passed rigorous review,” Kaufman said. He underscored the need for scientists and medical societies to advocate more forcefully for the value of independent research.

The Tobacco Playbook: Misinformation and Disinformation

Philippos Filippidis, PhD, associate professor at Imperial College London and chair of the ERS Tobacco Control Committee, examined how industries—particularly tobacco—have historically manipulated science to serve their interests. He drew a distinction between misinformation (false information spread without malicious intent) and disinformation (falsehoods spread deliberately to mislead).

“The tobacco industry wrote the original playbook for scientific manipulation,” Filippidis explained, citing examples of industry-funded studies designed to minimize risks, the creation of “astroturf” organizations posing as independent groups, and strategic funding of conferences and medical education to shape public discourse.

He also warned that newer industries, including e-cigarette manufacturers, have adopted similar tactics. On social media, industry-linked accounts amplify misleading claims, making it difficult for both the public and policymakers to discern credible evidence.

Challenges for Early-Career Researchers

Both Kaufman and Filippidis emphasized that young scientists are especially vulnerable. Limited funding, high publication pressure, and lack of formal training in conflicts of interest can make early-career researchers susceptible to predatory publishers or industry enticements.

One of the moderators, Eva Polverino, MD, PhD, a pulmonologist and ERS leader, urged that advocacy and public engagement be integrated into the career development pathway. “We should encourage early-career researchers to speak up, engage with the public, and defend evidence-based policies,” she said.

The Role of Medical Societies

Speakers agreed that professional organizations like ERS must lead by example. Strengthening codes of conduct, resisting industry sponsorship, and creating training programs for young investigators were among the solutions highlighted. Kaufman suggested that activities aimed at combating misinformation—such as public outreach and advocacy—should be rewarded in promotion and tenure decisions.

Filippidis added that societies with strong bylaws and advocacy arms can help set the tone globally, ensuring that science remains an independent and trusted guide for policy.

A Call to Action

The session closed with a strong call for continued collaboration to protect the integrity of science. Key priorities included:

• Educating early-career researchers about predatory publishing and conflicts of interest
• Building funding and publishing models that prioritize independence and open access
• Amplifying the communication of evidence to the public through new media and technology.