Numbers are making headlines in the world of academic retractions: over 10,000 retractions in 2023, 19 journals closed by Wiley, and now, a record-breaking milestone.
Joachim Boldt, a German anesthesiologist, has become the first author with more than 200 retractions to his name, now totaling 210. This new figure, representing about half of his approximately 400 publications, is due to recent updates from journals finally addressing his corrupt articles rather than new issues being identified. This milestone highlights both progress and a troubling lack of urgency from journals that took over a decade to act.
The Boldt saga began around 14 years ago when Steve Shafer, then editor-in-chief of Anesthesia & Analgesia, received emails about suspicious data in a 2009 study by Boldt. Shafer, now a board member of the Center For Scientific Integrity, eventually became dissatisfied with Boldt's inadequate responses and helped initiate an institutional investigation into his work. This early recognition of problems in anesthesiology research may explain why many anesthesiologists are among the most retracted authors globally.
The BMJ offers a detailed timeline of Boldt's case, including links to potential patient harm caused by his fraudulent research. The ongoing updates in this case underscore the critical need for vigilance and prompt action in maintaining scientific integrity.
More: https://retractionwatch.com/2024/05/22/a-retraction-milestone-200-for-one-author/
