Scientific Ghostwriting in the Amazon? The Role of Experts in the Lawsuit against Chevron in Ecuador

Abstract In 2011, lawyers for the Chevron Corporation filed a civil suit against an aqueous geochemist under federal racketeering and corruption laws. They claimed that her colleagues had ghostwritten significant portions of report attributed to court-appointed expert in Ecuador, although accusation was subsequently withdrawn. The original case addressed environmental impact Chevron’s operations lowland subject $9 billion judgment oil company. This article treats legal transcripts depositions as examples life writing examine contribution experts litigation. It adds recent scholarship on instability scientific authorship by comparing different forms ghostwriting. Whereas pharmaceutical industry employs ghostwriters conceal potentially harmful consequences its products, scientists contributing sought make company’s impacts visible. company undermined confidence proceedings Ecuador criticizing plaintiffs rather than their data, preventing people whose lives livelihoods have been affected contamination from collecting Chevron. corporate strategy may chilling effect willingness other witnesses provide evidence powerful corporations. There is need better accounting research undertaken support litigation, especially given high stakes contests like this one, which fortunes, human lives, fate environment are contingent technical expertise.