IME, scientists have wildly different outlooks here. Some are all flowers and unicorns "we're doing it to better humanity" etc., others are fighting vicious (if

IME, scientists have wildly different outlooks here. Some are all flowers and unicorns "we're doing it to better humanity" etc., others are fighting vicious (if imaginary?) battles against their scientific peers (=competitors) about who can publish the most (impactful) papers. For the latter group, if you manage to trick your competitor into a year-long wild goose chase, all the better.