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In support of descriptive studies; relevance to translational research.
The contemporary scientific establishment equates hypothesis testing to good science. This stance bypasses the preliminary need to identify a worthwhile hypothesis through rigorous observation of natural processes. If alleviation of human suffering is claimed as the goal of a scientific undertaking, it would be unfair to test a hypothesis whose relevance to human disease has not been satisfactorily proven. Here, we argue that descriptive investigations based on direct human observation should be highly valued and regarded essential for the selection of worthwhile hypotheses while the pursuit of costly scientific investigations without such evidence is a desecration of the cause upon which biomedical research is grounded.
PMID: 17474987 [PubMed]
PMCID: PMC1871566
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Cited by 3 PubMed Central articles
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AAAS joins the Translational Medicine family.
Brander C, Marincola FM.
J Transl Med. 2009 May 7; 7:32. Epub 2009 May 7.
[J Transl Med. 2009]
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Translational medicine: science or wishful thinking?
Wehling M.
J Transl Med. 2008 Jun 17; 6:31. Epub 2008 Jun 17.
[J Transl Med. 2008]
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Detailed analysis of immunologic effects of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4-blocking monoclonal antibody tremelimumab in peripheral blood of patients with melanoma.
Comin-Anduix B, Lee Y, Jalil J, Algazi A, de la Rocha P, Camacho LH, Bozon VA, Bulanhagui CA, Seja E, Villanueva A, et al.
J Transl Med. 2008 May 1; 6:22. Epub 2008 May 1.
[J Transl Med. 2008]