Challenging Reward Structures and Organizational Cultures that Propagate Stem Cell Hyperbole

How science is communicated shapes public understanding of science and informs decision-making by patients, research participants, policymakers, public funding agencies, private philanthropic organizations, and corporations. Responsible science communication is a collective responsibility of scientists. Accurate reporting is also a crucial feature of news media coverage of scientific research. Unfortunately, scientists, journalists, and other parties sometimes make hyperbolic claims that go beyond available evidence and exaggerate the significance of particular research findings. This phenomenon is evident in the rapidly evolving and highly competitive fields of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, though hyperbolic representations have also been documented in such fields as artificial intelligence, genomics, precision medicine, and synthetic biology. Stem cell hyperbole is shaped and promoted by systemic factors. We highlight the continued significance of responsible communication of stem cell science across news media and social media, especially in an era where there are powerful incentives to make hyperbolic claims. While such norms as truthfulness, accuracy, and accountability might seem self-evident, contemporary incentive structures and organizational cultures play an important role in promoting hyperbolic representations and other inaccurate representations of scientific research. Finally, we propose recommendations for supporting and sustaining research cultures that prioritize honesty and accuracy in science communication and public engagement.