Data Withholding in Academic Genetics

Abstract

Without the free exchange of published scientific information and resources, researchers may unknowingly build on something less than the total accumulation of scientific knowledge or work on problems already solved.¹ However, a number of instances of data withholding (defining data to include the full range of research results, techniques, and materials useful in future investigations and withholding as the failure to share such published data) have been reported.^2-7 A 1994-1995 survey of academic life scientists found that 34% of respondents were denied research results requested from a fellow university scientist in the previous 3 years, and 8.9% said they had denied a request from another university scientist for access to research results.⁸