What if the next groundbreaking scientific discovery is being made right now –
by two different teams, thousands of miles apart,
without either knowing about the other?
This isn’t just a coincidence; it’s a phenomenon known as multiple discovery, and it’s reshaping the way we think about innovation, competition, and collaboration in science.
When we think of great scientific breakthroughs, it’s easy to picture the lone genius - Marie Curie in her lab, Albert Einstein scribbling equations, or Alexander Fleming noticing mold on a petri dish. But the reality of scientific discovery often tells a different story. In the mid-20th century, sociologist Robert Merton coined the term multiple discovery to describe a phenomenon where the same invention or discovery arises independently in different places, often within a strikingly short time frame.
This isn’t a rare fluke; it’s a recurring feature of scientific progress. From the development of calculus by both Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz to the simultaneous discovery of oxygen by Carl Scheele and Joseph Priestley, history is replete with examples of multiple discovery. As science becomes increasingly collaborative and interconnected, it’s happening even more frequently.
Why Does This Happen?
The reasons for multiple discovery are tied to the nature of scientific advancement itself. Scientific progress often builds on prior knowledge, with researchers across the globe working on similar problems, using the same foundational theories, and employing comparable methods. When the groundwork is ripe, discoveries become almost inevitable. The world might not be waiting for a single genius to stumble upon the answer, but for the collective scientific effort to reach a critical tipping point.
The Upsides and Downsides of Multiple Discovery
Motivation and Competition: The knowledge that other teams might be working on the same problem can be a powerful motivator. Competition to be first often drives researchers to innovate faster and work harder, pushing science forward at a remarkable pace.
Credit and Conflict: However, this race to the finish line can also lead to disputes. Who gets the credit when discoveries occur simultaneously? Scientific recognition often hinges on being the first to publish. While history sometimes celebrates co-discoverers, such as Darwin and Wallace with the theory of natural selection, it can also overlook important contributors.
The Publication Challenge: One of the more frustrating consequences of multiple discovery is how journals treat subsequent publications. If two groups produce the same or highly similar findings, but one publishes first, the other may struggle to find an outlet for their work. Journals often reject the second paper on the grounds of lack of novel findings, even though independent confirmation of a result is a cornerstone of good science.
A Step Toward Robustness
Recognizing this issue, some journals have begun to address it. In 2018, PLOS Biology introduced a policy for what they call scooped scientists. If a research group publishes findings that overlap with another group’s unpublished work, the scooped researchers can still submit their results within six months. Instead of viewing the second paper as redundant, the journal treats it as a complementary finding, strengthening the case for the original discovery.
This approach acknowledges an important truth about science: independent replication adds robustness and reliability. Rather than diminishing the value of the second paper, it validates the discovery and reinforces its significance.
Collaboration Over Competition
As science becomes increasingly team-oriented and global, the idea of the lone researcher is fading. Instead, discoveries emerge from networks of thinkers building on one another’s work. While competition will always be a driver of innovation, science thrives when collaboration is prioritized over credit battles. Policies like those of PLOS Biology are a step in the right direction, encouraging a culture where confirming discoveries is just as celebrated as making them.
Rick’s Commentary
The phenomenon of multiple discovery reminds us that no scientific achievement happens in a vacuum. Every great discovery is a testament to the collective efforts of humanity to understand and shape the world - and when many minds arrive at the same conclusion, it’s even more reason to trust it.
My favorite multiple discovery is Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace, who independently developed the theory of evolution by natural selection. They both came to the same conclusion about how species change over time, around the same time period, despite working independently.
Comments