What prevents a random guy (or team) at some corporate from performing all those steps deliberately in the earnest belief it would "improve the world[1]", or at

What prevents a random guy (or team) at some corporate from performing all those steps deliberately in the earnest belief it would "improve the world[1]", or at least increase the employer's profits and bag them bonuses and/or promotions? 1. Say, if it shows promising early signs to develop a cure for a cancer.