Dishonesty in Science

[Guest guest]

http://www.pandoras-box.org/my02000.htm

Why we're telling this story

Hello, web citizens! We hope this web site will interest scientists and

those of you who are concerned about the growing problem of misconduct in

science. However, we don't want to shut anyone out. Dishonesty in any sphere

of government dishonors all of its citizens. Therefore, we will steer clear

of scientific jargon so everyone, regardless of background, can understand,

and perhaps help to solve, this problem.

My name is Harry Burchfield, a biochemist who once specialized in

pesticides. My wife was a scientist also, who published under the name of

Eleanor E. Storrs. This sounds a bit pompous, so I will call her Polly--

Polly Storrs or Polly Burchfield-- as people have done all of her life.

Our story tells of a discovery Polly made that linked the oldest infectious

disease known to humans, leprosy, with a living fossil, the armadillo. It is

a success story that led to many new advances in leprosy research, and

burial of many old superstitions that once stigmatized leprosy victims. For

us personally, it led to travel to many remote places in the world, and

articles in prestigious publications, including one on The Astonishing

Armadillo in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.

So what do we have to complain about? Why would we want to tell this story

on Internet? The reason is as simple as it is sad. Her digging for clues to

an ancient disease exposed dark veins of human treachery that tarnish the

silver mother lode of science. These stains were not caused by a few rogue

scientists. They were the collective and interlocking misdeeds of men of the

U.S. Public Health Service-- the people who you, the taxpayers, entrust with

billions of dollars to combat AIDS, cancer, and heart disease.

To us, dishonestly in science is a mortal sin, equivalent to blasphemy in

religion or vulgarity in art. We must speak out against the abasement of a

profession whose reason for being is to search for truth. It was a

profession we honored and loved. Those who tarnished it must be exposed to

restore the luster of its image for generations of scientists to come.

We pray the power of public opinion will shatter the moldering walls

concealing these creatures of intellectual corruption. After cleansing

sunlight dries them to dust, the search for truth can begin again.

Now you know why we're telling this story.

(see the rest of their story at their website)