In 1975, I presented my master’s thesis at an Indiana University health conference. The data collected were a culmination of one year of research, accepted and later published in a medical journal.

It was my first foray into this realm, so I used a scholarly statistic group from Purdue University, as well as broad critiques from well-regarded research professionals.

In attendance at the conference was an infamous pharmaceutical company researcher who had “manipulated” his research data solely for profit. The drug was later taken off the market, as it harmed the public.

Many of us young researchers were fortunately influenced by experienced professors who engrained honesty and legitimacy into our moral character.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is hard to sort through true and false claims promoted by researchers that could be for profit and even harm the public.

The most difficult decision to be made soon will be whether one should get inoculated by a research-developed vaccine. How will we know the data are honest and legitimate, or if a pharmaceutic company only seeks to improve its bottom line?

I intend to research the research before I get my shot.

Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D., is a geriatric house-call physician who serves as president of the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults and Assemblyman to the California Senior Legislature. He has practiced in the Santa Clarita Valley for 32 years.