A database tracking the deaths of young Chinese scientists has triggered a heated debate amid growing concern about whether there is a disturbing pattern emerging among the academic community.
But the list also triggered a public backlash, with critics raising ethical concerns about the way the information was used and questioning whether it was giving the full picture.
According to the file posted on CSND, an online platform for computer programmers, last week, at least 76 researchers under the age of 60 have died so far this year, compared with 44 for the whole of last year.
The youngest was Dong Sijia, an oceanographer and assistant professor at Nanjing University, who died at the age of 33.
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Youth suicide rates continue to rise in Hong Kong
Youth suicide rates continue to rise in Hong Kong
The anonymous compiler from Guangdong said the list – based on publicly available information – “fills a gap” in public knowledge and could be used to support research into the issue, highlight regional disparities and support policymaking.
