[defterGoose]

> Which is totally, completely and absolutely against the spirit of real science. My 2c.

Absolutely true, but examine the power dynamic. The scientists are only able to provide results (whether for or against) if they have bread on the table. The funders (as private entities) provide an almost inescapable dilemma then for the researchers. So who's more at fault, the scientist or the ones holding the purse strings? Why would we expect scientists to live up to some lofty ideal while others seek only personal profit through them?

Really, this is just a greater indictment of what our system has morphed into, where science and R&D is increasingly seen as the province of private companies, and not to be funded publicly.

(Or worse, to be funded publicly and then gatekept for profit)

[nickff]

In the United States, the majority of research funding is from the Federal Government, and it has been increasing since before the Second World War. If there is a problem, it is likely in the government grant process.

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/03/data-check-us-govern...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funding_of_science#United_Stat...