Mischa,
I don't think that the field of nanotechnology crumbled when allegations
against Jan Hendrik Schon (21 papers withdrawn, 15 in Science/Nature)
turned out to be true. I don't think that nobody trusts biologists
anymore because of Eric Poehlman (17 falsified grants, 10 papers with
fabricated data, 12 month in prison). We are still excited to hear
about stem cell research despite of what Hwang Woo-suk did or didn't
do. What recent events demonstrate is that in macromolecular
crystallography (and in science in general) mistakes, deliberate or not,
will be discovered.
Ed.
Mischa Machius wrote:
Due to these recent, highly publicized irregularities and ample
(snide) remarks I hear about them from non-crystallographers, I am
wondering if the trust in macromolecular crystallography is beginning
to erode. It is often very difficult even for experts to distinguish
fake or wishful thinking from reality. Non-crystallographers will have
no chance at all and will consequently not rely on our results as much
as we are convinced they could and should. If that is indeed the case,
something needs to be done, and rather sooner than later. Best - MM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mischa Machius, PhD
Associate Professor
UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.; ND10.214A
Dallas, TX 75390-8816; U.S.A.
Tel: +1 214 645 6381
Fax: +1 214 645 6353
--
Edwin Pozharski, PhD, Assistant Professor
University of Maryland, Baltimore
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When the Way is forgotten duty and justice appear;
Then knowledge and wisdom are born along with hypocrisy.
When harmonious relationships dissolve then respect and devotion arise;
When a nation falls to chaos then loyalty and patriotism are born.
------------------------------ / Lao Tse /
