I feel as though both sides have valid concerns in how a project should proceed. On the R&D hand, you have legitimate data and statistic to prove that the project is good to continue. Quality on the other hand have standards that they have assure the project meets; otherwise, it can spell trouble for the company early on. As mentioned in other post, QA is something can potentially save on a lawsuit or worse down the line. Although scientists have full faith in their data, if does not reach standards set forth by organizations whom standards come from multiple research endeavors then it is technically not safe or prudent to continue with the said project. R&D are there to develop the project while quality is there to assure the validity of it and save the company trouble down the line, which in my opinion, is what a company should be more concerned with.