Countrygirl
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https://jcoynester.wordpress.com/2016/01/02/glimpses-into-the-assault-on-data-sharing/
I doubt much of the scientific community outside of the UK would agree that a FOIA should be required to obtain data from a publicly funded trial. As was seen with the PACE trial, considering requests for data as FOIA requests hopelessly bureaucratize the simple provision of data as requested. There is no limit on the silliness of reasons used to refuse a FOIA request. It then takes time to appeal a refusal to release data to the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office. Then, the investigators can appeal the decision of the Commissioner against them, delaying release of the data a number of months.
If Peter White is serious about advancing knowledge of “the causes and treatments of this debilitating and misunderstood illness, ” why doesn’t he simply embrace what the rest of the international scientific community sees as a way of advancing knowledge – availability of data for others to independently evaluate claims that are being made and test their own novel hypothesis?
Hopefully PLOS One will disregard the PACE investigators vexatious conversion of my request to a FOIA for data they’ve promised would be available. I look forward to a retraction of their article if they do not provide the data immediately.
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