Abstract

In 2006 Hwang’s fraudulent papers published in Science on stem cell research re-opened the debate on scientific misconduct. Taking this as a starting point, some reflections are put forward on the dimension of fraud in science. The singularity of Hwang’s case, due to its scientific, social and media impact, is examined as a consequence of the persuasion mechanisms systematised in the so-called Routes of Scholarly Lying. Furthermore, the reasons for publishing fraudulent research, the inefficiency of peer review for detecting it, and the various mechanisms for managing and eradicating it, are presented.