Perspective on honest brokers in science: Broadening conflicts of interest and role academies could play

Abstract Over the last two decades, there has been a documented decline in public trust toward science. This evolution often attributed to fast expansion of Internet, making it very easy spread alternate viewpoints. In present perspective piece, is argued that unethical behavior some researchers also fueled distrust this context, solution could come from creating publicly accessible registries would provide all information needed by determine whether given researcher safely be presumed an ‘honest broker’, i.e. act disinterested manner about particular issues being debated. development such registries, academies particularly suited oversight, since their senior members, virtue retirement active duty, meet many conditions effectively honest brokers.