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The article presents a reprint of the article "Ghost Story: At Medical Journals, Writers Paid by Industry Play Big Role," which appeared in the December 13, 2005 issue of "The Wall Street Journal." It was a known secret in the U.S. field of medicine that many of the articles that appeared in scientific journals under the bylines of prominent academics are actually written by ghostwriters who are paid by drug companies. The practice of allowing ghostwriters hired by communications firms draft journal articles has served many parties well. Academic scientists can compile high-profile publications while journal editors get clearly written articles that look authoritative. However, editors and several academicians have been criticizing the practice because of its potential impact on patients. Generally, the criticism of ghostwriting is one of several issues that have placed scientific journals on the defensive.