Disinformation in Science: Ethical Considerations for Citing Retracted Works

Abstract

This paper discusses the ethical implications of citing retracted biomedical literature, particularly in the context of spreading misinformation within scholarly discourse. It examines the responsibility of scientists to combat disinformation and uphold ethical standards in their research practices. To guide our discussion, we studied citations of the most often cited retracted works containing disinformation in Web of Science. Our findings confirm prior research and demonstrate that most citations to retracted papers reference them to bolster arguments or use methodologies without acknowledging their status. We conclude by interpreting our findings through a framework of moral obligation and argue that scientists have a special responsibility to combat disinformation, which may harm others. Cognitive authorities, namely scientists, citing invalid publications may perpetuate false beliefs and erode trust in scientific integrity.