I admire the recent article on “Fake Science” published in the May/June 2025 issue of Missouri Medicine (pages 162–168). The integrity of scientific research is under attack. The damage is at a critical level and increasing exponentially as artificial intelligence evolves. The insights provided by Dr. Jian and L.H. Yaeger are both enlightening and timely.
The article aligns with statistics noted in the Wall Street Journal of June 14, 2025, which reported “The number of articles published in medical journals grew 47% between 2016 and 2022, from 1.92 million to 2.8 million.” This suggests a troubling trend where the proliferation of published research is not entirely an increase in credible and reliable studies. Sadly, most of the rise comprises low-quality, misleading, biased, or largely fabricated research papers.
This article underscores the importance of vigilance and discernment in both the publication and distribution of trustworthy and valid scientific literature. It serves as a crucial reminder to both healthcare professionals and the public to critically evaluate the sources and quality of medical research.
Thank you, authors and Missouri Medicine, for bringing attention to this critical issue. We must address it promptly or risk losing the respect and confidence of both the public and honest researchers.