Phénomène de biohype dans des articles scientifiques rapportant des résultats issus de recherches cliniques en nutrigénétique/nutrigénomique : caractérisation et perception des chercheurs

The development of the nutrigenetics/nutrigenomics (NGx) has generated many expectations since the associated benefits are potentially beneficial for everyone, that is to say, both for healthy and sick individuals. High expectations were also associated with the Human Genome Project (HGP), but as of today only a few have been realized. The HGP thus evolved in a context marked by biohype, i.e., the promotion of exaggerated or unrealistic benefits. Given the importance of expectations associated with the development of NGx and the methodological limitations faced by clinical research conducted in this area, the main objective of this thesis is to determine whether scientific publications reporting results from clinical research conducted in Ngx contribute to the emergence of a biohype phenomenon. More specifically, it will also document the perception of researchers working in this area concerning this phenomenon, try to identify factors that could explain its emergence in scientific literature specific to NGx and suggest ways of actions to mitigate the risks associated with this phenomenon.  We first conducted a document analysis of scientific articles reporting results from clinical research in NGx. This revealed that many benefits were promoted in the literature even though the methodological limitations were not necessarily presented or discussed. This observation led us to believe that the promoted benefits were potentially premature. We then sought to validate our findings among researchers working mainly in the field of NGx. Our survey revealed that researchers were generally in agreement with the benefits that we identified in the scientific articles. However, they did not consider that their realization was feasible in the medium term. This survey also revealed that the methodological limitations currently encountered in the conduct of clinical research raised doubts about the realistic outcome of the benefits promoted in scientific articles. These data confirm our observation that a biohype phenomenon is actually emerging in scientific articles reporting results of clinical research in NGx.  Besides information about the audiences targeted by researchers and the elements that need to be included in a scientific article, the survey also helped us better understand the advantages associated with the promotion of benefits. The majority of researchers interviewed found that the promotion of benefits in a scientific article would increase the chances of a manuscript being accepted for publication and also foster continuing funding of the research area. In a competitive environment such as biomedical research, the promotion of benefits seems to be an avenue taken to stand out from the field.  Although promoting premature or exaggerated benefits are not considered as being scientific misconduct, biohype can cause a weakening of the trust between the public and researchers. Ultimately, it can hinder the continuity of sound scientific research. Based on these findings, one of the strategies that could be use to prevent or mitigate the occurrence of the risks associated with biohype would be to increase awareness of the issue amongst researchers and scientific journal editors. Specifically, we encourage the integration of guidelines on the management of biohype within the codes of conduct that have been put in place to promote good practices in research.

Keyphrases: biohype, Nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, document analysis, scientific articles, researchers, research ethics