Emily Kaplan, cofounder of The Broken Science Initiative, delivered a compelling talk on September 21, 2024, in Boston. In it, she addresses the systemic failures in modern science and healthcare.

Beginning with a detailed case of manipulated cancer research data, Emily illustrates how issues such as ineffective peer review, academic misconduct, and conflicts of interest erode the credibility of science. Foundational studies in areas like Alzheimer’s and cancer are often unreplicable or fraudulent, creating a domino effect of misinformation in subsequent research. She also points out that, rather than safeguarding scientific integrity, peer review lacks transparency, accountability, and rigor, while incentives in academia and pharmaceutical research prioritize profit over patient outcomes.

Kaplan also examines the healthcare system’s failure to address chronic diseases at their root causes—poor nutrition and lack of exercise. Instead, the system treats symptoms with an over-reliance on medications, creating a “disease economy” that benefits pharmaceutical companies and insurers at the expense of patients. Women’s health is highlighted as a glaring example of neglect, with decades of underrepresentation in clinical trials and research that ignores fundamental biological differences.

To counter these challenges, Emily calls for education, critical thinking, and community-driven action to empower individuals to reclaim their health. Through initiatives like BSI, Emily, Greg Glassman, and their team aim to teach people how to critically evaluate scientific research and make informed choices about their health. After all, health is the foundation of autonomy and freedom, and individuals must take control of their well-being while challenging the broken systems that perpetuate illness.