Cochrane conundrum

Respected group’s woes highlight tricky issues facing all researchers

For many years, the Cochrane medical review network has been a benchmark for those pushing evidence-based approaches. Together, its huge international team of collaborators has produced reviews on everything from breathing problems to cancer.

But growth has brought pain. Lessons from the recent troubles at the top of the charity need to be carefully studied by many researchers, not just those concerned with whether selenium helps asthma or prevents tumours.