Baumgartner Fritz
Surgery Associates, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, CA, USA.
Linacre Q. 2019 Feb;86(1):103-114. doi: 10.1177/0024363919838855. Epub 2019 Apr 22.
Publication bias in medical journals depends on outside influences and the particular ideological bent of the editorial board. The () is a premier medical scientific publication having among the highest impact rankings of any research journal. The Vioxx question and industry ties it highlighted have led to legitimate questions of whether significant conflicts of interest have arisen within that compromise the free exchange of scientific information and ideas. Over the past two decades, several socially charged areas have been treated with considerable bias in the editorial policy of , including the issues of human embryonic stem cell research and abortion. From 2000 to 2017, published over twenty pieces favorable toward human embryonic stem cell research and over fifty pieces favorable to abortion, with virtually no publication of contrary opinion. An aggressive editorial defense of Planned Parenthood Federation most recently seems particularly striking. A secular journal which is meant to represent the entire spectrum of physician opinion in controversial issues has a practical, if not also an ethical, responsibility to provide an unbiased forum for intelligible discussion for evaluation of the merits of particular issues. To do otherwise is publication bias that suppresses legitimate contrary viewpoints having merit and validity.
Publication bias in medical journals is detrimental to the free exchange of ideas regarding controversial issues. From 2000 to 2017, a premier publication, the (), has shown considerable bias in only publishing articles and editorials highly favorable toward human embryonic stem cell research and abortion, without permitting valid discussion and publication of contrary opinion. The recent strong editorial defense by of Planned Parenthood Federation in their sale of aborted fetal body parts seems particularly striking and disproportionate. Publication bias suppresses legitimate contrary viewpoints with merit and validity, suppressing fair debate in controversial issues.
医学期刊中的发表偏倚取决于外部影响和编辑委员会的特定意识形态倾向。《新英格兰医学杂志》是一本顶级医学科学出版物，在所有研究期刊中具有最高的影响排名之一。万络问题及其凸显的行业关联引发了关于该杂志内部是否出现重大利益冲突从而损害科学信息和思想自由交流的合理质疑。在过去二十年里，《新英格兰医学杂志》的编辑政策在几个社会热点领域存在相当大的偏见，包括人类胚胎干细胞研究和堕胎问题。从2000年到2017年，该杂志发表了二十多篇支持人类胚胎干细胞研究的文章以及五十多篇支持堕胎的文章，几乎没有发表反对意见。最近对计划生育联合会的积极编辑辩护显得尤为突出。一本世俗杂志本应代表医生在争议问题上的各种观点，它有实际责任，即便不是道德责任，也要提供一个无偏见的论坛，以便对特定问题的价值进行明智的讨论和评估。否则就是发表偏倚，压制了有价值和合理性的合法反对观点。
医学期刊中的发表偏倚不利于就争议问题进行思想的自由交流。从2000年到2017年，一本顶级出版物《新英格兰医学杂志》表现出相当大的偏见，只发表对人类胚胎干细胞研究和堕胎极为有利的文章和社论，不允许对反对意见进行有效的讨论和发表。最近《新英格兰医学杂志》对计划生育联合会出售堕胎胎儿身体部位的强烈编辑辩护显得尤为突出且不成比例。发表偏倚压制了有价值和合理性的合法反对观点，抑制了在争议问题上的公平辩论。
