Only 26% of biomedical research in Brazil is reproducible, study shows

A recent survey revealed that only 26% of biomedical research carried out in Brazil can be successfully reproduced. The discovery raises concerns about the quality and reliability of scientific studies in the country.

The study involved 213 researchers, distributed in 56 laboratories Brazilians, who tried to replicate 143 biomedical experiments already published in scientific journals. The result was alarming: only one in four repeat attempts obtained the same result as the original studies.

What is reproducibility in biomedical research?

Scientific reproducibility is the ability to repeat an experiment and obtain the same results as described in the original study, using the same methods and conditions. It is therefore an indicator that the experiment was conducted reliably, with clear methodology and consistent results.

In biomedical research, Reproducibility is crucial because it ensures that the findings are solid enough to serve as a basis for further research:

• Development of medicines and vaccines
• New medical treatments
• Diagnostic technologies
• Public health policies

If researchers are unable to reproduce a study, they cast doubt on its scientific validity, which jeopardizes not only the advancement of knowledge, but also the practical application of the results in medicine and public health.

Brazilian study analyzes reproducibility in biomedical science

The study, recently released as preprint - that is, not yet evaluated by independent reviewers, but with data, protocols and analyses openly available in public repositories - is the result of Brazilian Reproducibility Initiative. This project included financial support of R$ 1 million from Instituto Serrapilheira, in addition to resources from Faperj and CNPq, and reflects a growing global concern with reproducibility in science.

Despite the progress of biomedical research in Brazil In recent decades, there had been no systematic analysis of the replicability of national studies. To fill this gap, the researchers carried out 143 replication attempts, referring to 56 original experiments. Of these, 96 replications of 47 experiments were considered valid for analysis. In addition, the selection of studies followed criteria of representativeness, including articles from Brazilian biomedical science published between 1998 e 2017.

Why is reproducibility so important in biomedical research?

Scientific reproducibility represents an essential principle of science: it allows other researchers to repeat an experiment and obtain the same results. In the field of biomedical research, This is even more critical, as it has a direct influence:

• The development of medicines and therapies
• The validation of new diagnostic methods
• The safety of medical procedures
• The credibility of national science in international publications

What can cause low reproducibility?

The low repetition rate of experiments does not necessarily mean fraud or scientific error. Various factors contribute to the difficulty in reproducing results, for example:

• Lack of standardization of methods
• Differences in reagents, materials or equipment
• Ambiguous interpretation of protocols
• Uncontrolled biological or experimental variability
• Lack of transparency in the publication of data

Ways to improve reproducibility in biomedical science

To reverse this scenario, experts recommend measures to promote greater rigor and clarity in scientific processes. Among the good practices suggested for the area of biomedical research, are:

• Prior registration of protocols and methods
• Open sharing of data and results
• Use of appropriate controls and independent replications
• Publication in journals that require methodological transparency
• Investments in training and laboratory infrastructure

The urgency of a more reliable science

A biomedical research in Brazil has great potential, but faces serious challenges in terms of the reproducibility of results. Ensuring the reliability of experiments is essential if science is to contribute effectively to advances in health, public safety and technological innovation. Investing in scientific quality is therefore an urgent necessity for the country.

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