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Bixonimania: How AI Turned a Joke Diagnosis
into “Peer‑Reviewed” Medicine

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Posted By: Christopher L, 4/14/2026 6:40:57 PM

Late last year, I warned about the staggering amount of unrestrained scientific fraud being published via paper mills and sham journals. This trend is especially troubling, as adherence to scientific theory and rigorous, reproducible research allows humanity to make progress in critical fields. If we can no longer trust the data, our ability to make improvements and innovations will be severely compromised. Back in 2024, researchers created a fake eye disease called “bixonimania” to see whether AI chatbots would repeat it as if it were real.  Within weeks, major chatbots started describing bixonimania as a real diagnosis

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Reply 1 - Posted by: PlayItAgain 4/14/2026 7:54:00 PM (No. 2092689)
This is a thoughtful article on the issues of garbage medical studies and AI. I can see stuff like this being used to craft legislation.
3 people like this.

Reply 2 - Posted by: red1066 4/14/2026 8:21:35 PM (No. 2092697)
I wonder if the phony Covid vaccine was approved by doing this? Perfect example of a vaccine that did more harm than good.
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Posted by Christopher L 4/14/2026 6:40:57 PM Post Reply
Late last year, I warned about the staggering amount of unrestrained scientific fraud being published via paper mills and sham journals. This trend is especially troubling, as adherence to scientific theory and rigorous, reproducible research allows humanity to make progress in critical fields. If we can no longer trust the data, our ability to make improvements and innovations will be severely compromised. Back in 2024, researchers created a fake eye disease called “bixonimania” to see whether AI chatbots would repeat it as if it were real.  Within weeks, major chatbots started describing bixonimania as a real diagnosis
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