ExclusiveBias, fear, peer pressure, and funding cause polarization in medical research

The spirit of science is uncertainty, curiosity, and constant discovery. It’s a bad sign when researchers become closed to a two-sided discourse. Refusing to even consider an opposing opinion can be dangerous when it comes to medical research. Unfortunately, reports show that polarization is common in scientific research, hindering advancement and dangerously withholding information from the public.

Warning signs of research polarization include when researchers insist that a particular viewpoint is the correct one, present a message with drama and intense words, choose selective experts to support views, leave out opposing views, use politics or partisan arguments to defend positions, and emphasize flaws of opposing views. Polarization is usually accompanied by sarcasm and disrespect for opposing ideas. The prevalence of this unfortunate situation makes it necessary for individuals to do their own research from a wide variety of sources to discover the truth.