Possible arguments for and against scientific research being free from political and commercial involvement
- Freedom to make informed academic choices
- Free from conflict of interest
- Make research papers accessible to all – complete transparency
- Freedom to choose research projects
- Funding has to come from somewhere
- Research councils (government bodies) regulate and ensure projects are in the country’s interest
- Research often takes place in universities (as an academic environment)
- What about charitable organisations which fund research?
- Most private sponsors have their own research facilities (pharmaceutical)
- What about testing on animals, weapons research, regulating clinical trials of new drugs?
- Accountability to the government.