Distorted science, confidence and health threatened

We, professionals and scientists from Quebec committed for decades in research, care and rigorous communication of knowledge, are victims of an insidious form of disinformation: hyperthtated content (deepfakes) Circulating online, using our image, voice or name for fraudulent purposes.

Many experts from all disciplines are also constantly plagiarized. Consequently, and their image, such as the confidence it inspires, diverted for evil purposes. Furthermore, It is also for these colleagues that we write this text.

But it is above all for people deceived by this disinformation, because they are the real victims.

Attacks against credibility and confidence

These digital manipulations take a multitude of forms. Furthermore, They appear and disappear, difficult to identify and fight. Additionally, Furthermore, More. Consequently, more sophisticated, they are not simple hoaxes, even if their sometimes imperfect appearance makes you smile: the phenomenon distorted science, confidence health threatened is serious, dangerous, pernicious.

These videos exploit. to our great disarray, the credibility and the confidence that we have built over the years, propagating false information, sowing confusion and mining public towards caregivers, science and institutions. They not only infringe our professional integrity, but also to the democratic health of our society.

The effects of these deepfakes are not harmless: their victims lose money there. sometimes suffer the side effects of dubious products and can interrupt essential treatments. They also generate an avalanche of questions that come from people as taken aback as they are worried. a precious waste of time which cannot then be put at the service of care and legitimate support from the public.

Urgent call

We are worried. While these content proliferate with impunity. we are therefore launching a clear and urgent call today:

• Publicwe ask to always be vigilant: check the sources, report distorted science, confidence health threatened questionable content, and do not relay what seems sensationalist or improbable ^[FM1] . Also note that no doctor can advertise for a specific medication or product.
• To the public authoritieswe ask to act firmly with the companies that allow the dissemination of these messages. It is more than time to set up mechanisms of detection. reporting and sanction adapted to the magnitude of the phenomenon.
• To web giantswe ask to take your responsibilities: host. amplify or monetize falsified content has very real consequences on your users. You must now act to counter once for all this fraudulent content.

Science and health care is based on transparency, rigor and confidence. We will continue to defend these values with determination. But we cannot do it alone.

Isabelle Huot, nutrition doctor

François Marquis, intensivist, head of intensive care service, CEMTL Maisonneuve-Rosemont

Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret, Director of the Research Unit in Metabolic distorted science, confidence health threatened Diseases at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM)

Alain Vadeboncoeur, urgentologist and scientific popularizer