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Internationally renowned for her studies on the integrity of research evidence used to influence health policy, leads the University of Sydney鈥檚 at the .

Today in 聽(from the BMJ Journals group), Professor Bero presents her top tips to spot industry influence on science policy.

Writing in response to 聽of how the was developed with significant 鈥� but not always transparent 鈥� involvement of industry, as well as earlier studies, Professor Bero warns fellow scientists against being gullible. 聽

鈥淥pen access to data, rigorous methods and disclosure of conflicts of interest appeal to most researchers, but these can be twisted to support only industry interests 鈥� as in the case of the Brussels Declaration,鈥� Professor Bero, from the Faculty of Medicine and Health鈥檚 , says.

鈥淔or years, corporations have been trying to change the standards by which science is evaluated; and many scientists were convinced to support the Brussels Declaration unaware it was sponsored by the tobacco and alcohol industries.

"I hope these tips make it easier for scientists to expose such initiatives and walk away from involvement with them.鈥�

How to spot industry influence in science:

1. A public relations firm started the initiative

鈥淐ommunications firms have led many campaigns to disseminate industry messages, such as more research on pharmaceuticals is required to meet unmet needs, newer drugs are more beneficial than older ones, tobacco is not harmful, sugar is an important part of diet,鈥� Professor Bero says.

2.聽Claims of a 鈥榞rassroots鈥� effort

聽鈥淭he lack of transparency about industry support for 鈥榖ottom up鈥� efforts can mislead the public and policy makers into thinking that the initiatives were not designed by industry,鈥� Professor Bero says.

3.聽A lack of funding disclosure

鈥淩ecent comparisons of internal industry documents or transparency databases with disclosure statements show that a variety of industries provide undisclosed financial support to scientists who are involved in critiquing methods or research,鈥� Professor Bero warns.

4.聽Conflicts of interest misunderstood

鈥淎 reasonable expectation of a certain result is not a conflict of interest because the results of the project could not personally benefit the funder or researcher,鈥� Professor Bero explains.

鈥淥n the other hand, industry funding for research about products made by the industry is a conflict of interest because the sponsoring organisation could profit from findings that the product is beneficial.鈥�

5.聽鈥楾hought leaders鈥� and 鈥榠nfluencers鈥� are involved

鈥淢ultiple industries have a record of selecting and paying scientists who they believe to be 鈥榢ey opinion leaders鈥� in order to advance industry positions,鈥� Professor Bero says.

6.聽Phrases such as 鈥淢ore than XX individuals from YY countries鈥�

鈥淪uch phrases create a sense of false consensus when the majority of the participants are affiliated with industry,鈥� says Professor Bero.

7.聽The tobacco industry is a player

鈥淭he tobacco industry is often the leader in building industry coalitions to attempt to influence science policy,鈥� Professor Bero observes. 鈥淚t exploits cross-industry needs to redefine scientific standards in order to decrease regulation. Beware of tobacco industry involvement.鈥�

For more tips and information read the full article .