Crackdown on science fraud in China after string of scandals

The Chinese government’s harsh punishment of nearly 500 researchers involved in a massive scientific fraud, which was exposed earlier this year, has had a huge impact on China’s research community. Some Chinese observers believe that this scandal could be a turning point in China’s efforts to raise its ethical standards. Penalties for researchers linked to the scandal are being decided on a case-by-case basis and include being banned from research for a set period, promotions being denied, and awards and honours revoked. The researchers involved also face punishment from the Communist Party.