How publicly funded research preserves scientific integrity

Abstract

Government funding for science has been under threat. Corporations and private industries (who already make up the majority of research and development funding in Canada) are often the favourites to make up the deficit when public funding gets axed. However, private funding for science can introduce conflicts of interest, biases, and profit-motivated agendas, while public funding is proven to result in impartial, ethical, and people-first science full of long-term benefits. This article explores the implications of corporate funding on scientific integrity by examining the checks and balances of the public funding system, examples of funding bias, and the dangers of disinformation. It becomes clear that candid funding disclosures, transparency of research initiatives, and standards to regulate commercial-science interactions are needed to preserve scientific integrity, for our own good.