Disparate foundations of scientists' policy positions on contentious biomedical research.

ABSTRACT: What drives scientists' position taking on matters where empirical answers are unavailable or contradictory? We examined the contentious debate on whether to limit experiments involving the creation of potentially pandemic pathogens. Hundreds of scientists, including Nobel laureates, have signed petitions on the debate, providing unique insights into how scientists take a public stand on important scientific policies. Using 19,257 papers published by participants, we reconstructed their collaboration networks and research specializations. Although we found significant peer associations overall, those opposing "gain-of-function" research are more sensitive to peers than are proponents. Conversely, specializing in fields directly related to gain-of-function research (immunology, virology) pr

SUBMITTER: Edelmann A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5474814 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature