Cancer studies 'wasted millions'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/file_on_4/7098882.stm

Charity is mostly well intentioned but easy availability of money to those receiving charity may result in less than efficient use of the same. On November 20, BBC reported that millions of pounds of charity donations and taxpayers' money have been wasted on worthless cancer studies.

Thousands of studies have been invalidated as some scientists not carrying out simple and inexpensive checks to ensure they are working with the right forms of human tumour cells.

Earlier this year eminent cancer specialists from the UK and USA wrote to the US health secretary urging tough action to end this waste of time, effort and money. As per the report, the US authorities observed that there appeared to be "abundant evidence" that many studies and publications had been compromised.

While this is specific to cancer research, it may raise questions on the efficacy of charity based research for other medical ailments as well.