Instances of Scientific Misconduct


Columbia University “Miracle” Study

The Columbia “Miracle” Study in 2001 showed results that IVF (also known as in vitro fertilization) had a higher chance of success (100% higher success, in fact) if one prayed. This study had many instances of error and suspicion; therefore, this study was retracted. The researchers who worked on this study were lawyers, psychologists, etc. This study had falsified/fabricated data, causing those who worked on it to go to trial, stay under house arrest, and resign from their jobs. 


A Story of Possible Fraud in the Medical Literature (Improving Medical Statistics, February 2007)

A study links Prayer and Pregnancy (The New York Times, October 2, 2001)

Controversy Continues (MDedge, March 15, 2005)

Critics Say Studies Go Past Science’s Reach (The New York Times, October 10, 2004)

Exposed: Conman’s role in prayer-powered IVF (The Guardian, May 30, 2004)

Flawed and Fraud (The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, September/ October 2004)

IVF-Prayer Study Raises Doubt (The Scientist, June 14, 2004)

Original CU News Article (Columbia University Medical Center, September 24, 2001)

Questioning Healing Prayer (Time Magazine, July 1, 2004)

Researcher Pulls His Name From Paper On Prayer and Fertility (The New York Times, December 4, 2004)

Skeptics Question Study on Link Between Fertility & Prayer (The Salt Lake Tribune, January 11, 2005)

The Columbia University ‘Miracle’ Study: Flawed And Fraud (Skeptical Inquirer, October 2004)

The Columbia University ‘Miracle’ Story (Improving Medical Statistics, February 2007)