It was not fraudulent, just incompetent. Not just here (though this is likely the most egregious example), there are many very bad biological models in circulation even today simply because some dudes who are thought leaders decided these things were this way when there was no causal evidence for it (it was almost always correlation). Thats right, our top scientists of the day still cant fundamentally fathom "correlation =/= causation"). Past examples include "a differentiated cell cant go back". Persistent examples include "longer telomeres cause you to live longer" and "there are x hallmarks of cancer."

And before someone says, "well theres nuance to it," "in hindsight its easy," "biology is complex," my answers are, no no and no. Debate me. Ill bring receipts.