Restoring Trust in Science: A Global Imperative
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Neil Gussman
WCLM 2025 panelists (from left): David Winkler, Peter Mahaffy, Elizabeth Hall, Dorothy Phillips, Helen Pain,Paul Anastas, and Omar Yaghi.
In an era dominated by digital media, artificial intelligence, and information overload, the credibility of science is under unprecedented threat. Eihud Keinan, President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), warned that the vulnerability of science has escalated into a global crisis—so severe that it now ranks alongside climate change, public health, and food security as one of the greatest challenges facing humanity.
At the heart of this crisis lies a toxic mix of scientific misconduct, widespread misinformation, and systemic manipulation. From fabricated studies and unethical research practices to the proliferation of over 18,000 predatory journals, the integrity of scientific communication is eroding. Digital platforms amplify this decay, spreading conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, and AI-generated disinformation that distort reality and polarize societies.
The situation is worsened by cyberbullying of researchers, AI-powered bots manipulating public discourse, and the rise of echo chambers that reinforce ideological biases while undermining objective evidence. These dynamics disproportionately affect marginalized communities, further fueling mistrust in science and democratic institutions.
In his talk Keinan called for a collective scientific response—not just to diagnose the threats but to actively restore public confidence. He urges the scientific community to reaffirm the fundamental human right to participate in and benefit from science, as enshrined in Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
As seven leading voices in global chemistry gather for the World Chemistry Leadership Meeting (part of IUPAC2025) on July 15, to share insights and propose actions, the message is clear: trust in science is not a given—it must be earned, protected, and promoted. And it begins with transparency, education, ethical rigor, and inclusive access to scientific progress for all.
©2025 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead - Full issue pdf
- Past President’s Column
- Chemistry at the Crossroads: Enabling Solutions for a Changing World
- Features
- IUPAC’s 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
- Preventing spread of chemical weapons in an era of rapid technological change
- Why think philosophically about chemistry?
- Spotlight on IUPAC Young Observers
- Spotlight on IUPAC U.S. Young Observers
- IUPAC Wire
- IUPAC Launches Global Call to Action for Responsible Chemistry
- IUPAC Announces the 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
- Actions Taken by IUPAC Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 2025
- Recognising Excellence: CCE 2026 Awards—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC-Richter Prize—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC–Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists—Call for Applicants
- Systems Thinking in Chemistry Education—Call for Papers
- Special issue IYQ in PAC
- In Memoriam
- Project Place
- Terminology for Dynamic Polymer Networks and Hydrogels
- Systems Thinking, Sustainability and Chemical Industry
- Small-Scale Chemistry Initiative in India
- Making an imPACt
- Definitions and preferred symbols for mass diffusion coefficients in multicomponent fluid mixtures including electrolytes (IUPAC Technical Report)
- IUPAC/CITAC guide: interlaboratory comparison of categorical characteristics of a substance, material, or object (IUPAC Technical Report)
- Blockchain technology: driving change in the scientific research workflow
- IUPAC Provisional Recommendations
- Basic Classification and Definitions of Polymerization Reactions
- Conference Call
- IUPAC 2025 in Kuala Lumpur Opened with Focus on Sustainability and Excellence
- Restoring Trust in Science: A Global Imperative
- Can the “Right to Science” Restore Public Trust?
- Chemistry for a Fairer, Safer, and More Sustainable World
- The Future of Science in the Digital Age: Chemistry at a Crossroads
- Science at a Crossroads: Restoring Integrity and Public Trust
- Science: A Truth Worth Defending
- Building Trust in Science: A Two-Way Commitment
- Science Under Siege: Confronting the Hydra’s Many Heads
- Sustainable Practices for Promoting Diversity in Chemistry
- Green Chemistry for a Sustainable Future
- Advancing Scientific Terminology & Standards for the Digital Era—DUST Conference 2025
- Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future
- Mark Your Calendar
- Index
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead - Full issue pdf
- Past President’s Column
- Chemistry at the Crossroads: Enabling Solutions for a Changing World
- Features
- IUPAC’s 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
- Preventing spread of chemical weapons in an era of rapid technological change
- Why think philosophically about chemistry?
- Spotlight on IUPAC Young Observers
- Spotlight on IUPAC U.S. Young Observers
- IUPAC Wire
- IUPAC Launches Global Call to Action for Responsible Chemistry
- IUPAC Announces the 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
- Actions Taken by IUPAC Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 2025
- Recognising Excellence: CCE 2026 Awards—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC-Richter Prize—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC–Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry—Call for Nominations
- 2026 IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists—Call for Applicants
- Systems Thinking in Chemistry Education—Call for Papers
- Special issue IYQ in PAC
- In Memoriam
- Project Place
- Terminology for Dynamic Polymer Networks and Hydrogels
- Systems Thinking, Sustainability and Chemical Industry
- Small-Scale Chemistry Initiative in India
- Making an imPACt
- Definitions and preferred symbols for mass diffusion coefficients in multicomponent fluid mixtures including electrolytes (IUPAC Technical Report)
- IUPAC/CITAC guide: interlaboratory comparison of categorical characteristics of a substance, material, or object (IUPAC Technical Report)
- Blockchain technology: driving change in the scientific research workflow
- IUPAC Provisional Recommendations
- Basic Classification and Definitions of Polymerization Reactions
- Conference Call
- IUPAC 2025 in Kuala Lumpur Opened with Focus on Sustainability and Excellence
- Restoring Trust in Science: A Global Imperative
- Can the “Right to Science” Restore Public Trust?
- Chemistry for a Fairer, Safer, and More Sustainable World
- The Future of Science in the Digital Age: Chemistry at a Crossroads
- Science at a Crossroads: Restoring Integrity and Public Trust
- Science: A Truth Worth Defending
- Building Trust in Science: A Two-Way Commitment
- Science Under Siege: Confronting the Hydra’s Many Heads
- Sustainable Practices for Promoting Diversity in Chemistry
- Green Chemistry for a Sustainable Future
- Advancing Scientific Terminology & Standards for the Digital Era—DUST Conference 2025
- Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future
- Mark Your Calendar
- Index
