Though per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) make headlines daily, a new paper reveals that most studies finding links between PFAS exposure and human health harms are published without a press release and receive little or no media coverage.
I would offer a different perspective, though it could be that I’m misreading your intention in the last sentence. Scientific findings should all be available to the public, which is the ultimate source of most research funding through taxation or through product pricing. Misunderstanding should be addressed through education, not restricting access to knowledge.
Absolutely. Press releases will always overhype research to make it interesting to read. It is unfortunate those in the scientific community feel they need to do this. Many institutions pressure their researchers to submit these press releases so they can show off what they do to the public. As I type this, I realize how the institutions themselves feel they need these public summaries for their survival. Would taxpayers ever support research if they don’t understand it??
Perhaps what is most needed is to drop the spin and hype while still informing the public about the scientific process and results!
I would offer a different perspective, though it could be that I’m misreading your intention in the last sentence. Scientific findings should all be available to the public, which is the ultimate source of most research funding through taxation or through product pricing. Misunderstanding should be addressed through education, not restricting access to knowledge.
Right. Open access to the papers themselves is good. But they shouldn’t be pushed into normal news feeds without more careful consideration.
Absolutely. Press releases will always overhype research to make it interesting to read. It is unfortunate those in the scientific community feel they need to do this. Many institutions pressure their researchers to submit these press releases so they can show off what they do to the public. As I type this, I realize how the institutions themselves feel they need these public summaries for their survival. Would taxpayers ever support research if they don’t understand it??
Perhaps what is most needed is to drop the spin and hype while still informing the public about the scientific process and results!