Addressing Inaccurate and Misleading Information About Biological Threats Through Scientific Collaboration and Communication in Southeast Asia (2022) / Chapter Skim
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Addressing Inaccurate and Misleading Information About Biological Threats Through Scientific Collaboration and Communication in Southeast Asia
Addressing Inaccurate and Misleading Information About Biological Threats Through Scientific Collaboration and Communication in Southeast Asia
Pages 5-50
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From page 5... ...
The main purpose of the study is to build capacity within Southeast Asia to counter scientific inaccuracies about biological threats that lead to or perpetuate mis- or disinformation in a collaborative and effective manner. At the request of the sponsor, this report puts a particular emphasis on (1)
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Although the focus and framing of the report and recommendations are within the lens of Southeast Asia, the scholarship of network design, misinformation, and science communication may inform efforts by scientists in other parts of the world to counter inaccurate and misleading information given the international nature of mis- and disinformation. In addition, international networks may offer certain advantages to engaging scientists with different expertise and accessing resources from international organizations.
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Drawing on the scholarship presented in this report, the how-to guide2 provides clear instructions for scientists to determine whether and how to address particular claims. COMPOUNDING THREATS OF FALSE INFORMATION AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL THREATS Misinformation is defined as the unintentional spread of false or misleading information that is shared by mistake or under the presumption of truth (Sedova 2021)
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Consequences of the spread of inaccurate, misleading, or even hyped scientific information include loss of trust in the public health system and/or ineffective public health responses during epidemics, international conflict about the source and responsibility of epidemics, or the targeting of individual scientists and research institutions associated with particular claims. This section provides examples of inaccurate and misleading claims about biological threats.
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, and/or limit efforts to enhance safety and security of field and laboratory-based research of emerging infectious diseases. The volume and variability of scientific information communicated have led the World Health Organization (WHO)
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Scientific Information Overload: A New Threat Landscape Digital communication technologies, in particular the internet and social media, profoundly have changed the way scientific information is produced, consumed, and disseminated and have contributed to access to and spread of mis- and disinformation (Okeleke and Robinson 2021)
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. As another example, inaccurate information posted on preprint servers has been amplified by the press or by social media influencers before they could be vetted as part of the regular peer-review process.
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Often life and public health scientists from various disciplines, including virology, computational biology, and epidemiology, play numerous roles in preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats. These roles include detection and characterization of new infectious diseases and/or strains of existing pathogens, analysis of the rate of illnesses and deaths, identification of the source of new
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. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, computer scientists also bring to infectious disease outbreaks their knowledge of information transfer via social media and other online platforms, and advanced data analytics such as AI for quickly identifying effective existing therapies and near-real-time surveillance during outbreaks (Basu 2021; Begley 2021; Bridgman et al.
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Finding 1: During the past few years, numerous virtual platforms, including and independent of social media platforms, were created to foster communication and collaboration among scientists, share data, and crowdsource analysis. These platforms created opportunities for scientists throughout the world to interact with each other.
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What is needed is the establishment of a structure for human interactions, favorable policies for data sharing and analysis, and a process for collaboration to correct inaccurate and misleading information before it has the potential to fuel misinformation. STRATEGY OF THE TRUSTED NETWORK OF SCIENTISTS A strategy for engaging scientists in addressing inaccurate and misleading information builds on the role that scientists play in curbing the spread of misinformation of biological threats, benefits from leveraging local and inter national networks in a dynamic and distributed network, and enables scientists to interact on an ongoing basis to improve scientific accuracy and excellence.
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that draws on a diversity of scientific disciplines and sectors needed to correct inaccurate and misleading scien tific information about infectious diseases and other biological threats. The network should be regional and have a leadership structure that includes scientists from countries in the regional network.
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non-technical organizations, such as established, credible fact-checking organizations, to assist with identification of inaccurate and misleading information, determination about whether to address the inaccurate information, and communication of corrective information. Recommendation 1.6: The network should focus initially on addressing inaccurate and misleading information relating to infectious disease and other biological threats.
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do not characterize local scientific capacity adequately and may present difficulties in generating or recruiting future talent in various scientific fields. Many countries in Southeast Asia have science, technology, and innovation talent development roadmaps, but many do not include similar initiatives to support the development of social scientists because the social sciences are perceived as not being associated with economic gain from innovation (Scott-Kemmis et al.
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Furthermore, an inclusive network of scientists can enable all groups to work toward a common goal of addressing misinformation about emerging infectious diseases and biological threats by leveraging each other's expertise and diverse perspectives. Finding 2: Training scientists on science communication, public engagement, and science policy is critical to countering misinformation.
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As scientists become motivated to contribute to the network, enhance scientific excellence, and address misinformation, continuous engagement and involvement in the network can be promoted. Continuing engagement can be measured via the ability of scientists to receive continuous professional development opportunities for improving their skills in addressing inaccurate and misleading claims, and enhancement of existing and innovative capacities for addressing inaccurate information at institutional and national levels.
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Inclusion of diverse views, expertise, and experiences enables the network to incorporate new and innovative approaches; promote scientific responsibility; enhance accuracy and accessibility of science among various audiences; and be nimble, flexible, responsive, and proactive. Box 2 highlights the values of the trusted network.
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Although the need for addressing misinformation about biological threats has been recognized by several international organizations (e.g., WHO, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute) , prioritizing regional and national efforts that involve scientists as part of the solution toward addressing inaccurate and misleading information that leads to or otherwise enhances misinformation would provide high-level support for the trusted network and other related activities.
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. Following this conference, the Malaysian Educational Module on Responsible Conduct of Research was published in 2018, and the ASEAN-YSN and Southeast Asia regional office of the International Science Council launched a project in 2019 to train instructors on responsible science throughout the region (ASEAN-YSN n.d.; MOSP n.d.)
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; and (4) processes for identifying, adjudicating, and, if deemed necessary, addressing inaccurate information relating to biological threats.
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Therefore, designing the network such that it can activate different members based on changing needs is important for addressing inaccurate information about emerging infectious diseases and other biothreats. Both models described here incorporate these considerations in network design.
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The network can be crafted with a balance between different domain experts including science communicators and various life scientists, and ensure diversity in membership (e.g., fields, career stage, expertise, geographical and regional representation, sector)
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A consortium creating resources and tools for societies that can then be passed down as resources for individual smaller network members is creating value for all through the shared cost and the non-duplication of efforts. Finally, consortia may provide institutional protection to members who contribute to addressing inaccurate information, helping to protect individuals' privacy and security for particularly sensitive topics.
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As with many regions around the world, each Southeast Asian country has different laws governing scientific activities and data sharing and access, which are helpful to know when determining whether and how to counter inaccurate information. At the heart of some of these policies are different perspectives on trust, respect, and reciprocal benefit of regional countries and scientists and international scientists (Merson et al.
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. Several Southeast Asian countries also have established laws and partnerships to address misinformation that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic (Jalli 2020)
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. Finding 7: Although studies analyzing social media platforms for patterns of influence and ways to minimize bias are being conducted, similar research does not exist for understanding the flow of scientific information generated and communicated through different sources and platforms, and about the influence of different types of information among scientists, members of the public, journalists, and policymakers.
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. Four factors affect the utility and outcomes of efforts to counter misinformation (Simon and Camargo 2021; The Lancet Infectious Diseases 2020)
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Scientists with the appropriate domain expertise and/or with scientific or media communication training may not be on these channels to correct any inaccurate or misleading information presented in these clips or texts. Science Communication Figure 2 illustrates critical questions that scientists and other stakeholders can consider when exploring ways of communicating, building trust, and engaging with each other, policymakers, journalists, lay or religious leaders, or other members of the broader public.
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Scientists and science communicators need to stop using the knowledge deficit model in favor of other science communication models (NASEM 2017b)
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• The Science of Science Communication II: Summary of a Colloquium (NAS 2014) • Sustainable Infrastructures for Life Science Communication: Workshop Summary (NRC 2014)
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Communicating Uncertainty During emerging infectious disease outbreaks or other incidents involving biological threats, the scientific foundation may be inconclusive or in flux because of lack of available data, availability of relevant and verifiable scientific literature to the particular events, the newness of the events, and/or new information being produced as events unfold over time. These uncertainties present significant challenges to individual and national-level policymaking.
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. Correcting inaccurate or misleading information before it has a chance to spread via online platforms, social media, or mainstream media can be an effective strategy for preventing misinformation (Sedova 2021)
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Engaging various public and policy audiences is a two-way street, with scientists understanding the key questions these audiences have before providing them defensible, accurate, and objective information, and with these audiences supporting the generation of new knowledge or updating existing scientific knowledge. To do this effectively, collaboration is needed among domain experts, including life, computer, and social scientists with expertise in public engagement and science communication, to monitor public opinion(s)
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. UNDERSTANDING UNCERTAINTY IN CORRECTING INACCURATE AND MISLEADING INFORMATION Scientific information and conclusions rarely are absolutely certain at any given time, and scientific knowledge always is open to revision.
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Considerations of member expertise, availability of resources, ability to protect members, sustainability, credibility and authoritative knowledge, inclusivity, and collaborative and cross-disciplinary approaches were identified as critical characteristics associated with a successful, effective network aimed at enhancing the scientific knowledge about emerging infectious diseases and other biological threats. A visualization of online platforms through which scientists continue to engage, collaborate, share data and information, crowdsource scientific analysis, and peer review scientific information are available online.4 Effectively addressing inaccurate and misleading information involves a careful examination of several factors.
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com. ASEAN-YSN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Young Scientists Network)
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BMC Infectious Diseases 14(1)
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BMC Infectious Diseases 21(1)
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2020. Combating Medical Misinformation and Disinformation Amid Coronavirus Outbreak in Southeast Asia.
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2021. Identifying Credible Sources of Health Information in Social Media: Principles and Attributes.
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2018. The Science of Science Communication III: Inspiring Novel Collaborations and Building Capacity: Proceedings of a Colloquium.
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2014. Sustainable Infrastructures for Life Science Communication: Workshop Summary.
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Presentation at National Academies' Committee on Addressing Inaccurate and Misleading Information about Biological Threats through Scientific Collaboration and Communication: Fifth Public Meeting, virtual, September 27, 2021. Selgelid, M.J.
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The Lancet Infectious Diseases 20(8)
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2010. Responsible Life Sciences Research for Global Health Security: A Guidance Document.
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