An observation or two: an opinion paper with 19 authors effectively receives 6 times as much peer review in the process of its drafting and revision as any typical research paper receives under normal circumstances. The authors included journal editors quite familiar with the scientific publication process, very practiced writers and meticulous reviewers. Nature was under no obligation to publish the piece if it failed to meet their standards. We were under no obligation to submit one that didn't meet our standards. Our purpose in writing was to expand a conversation already well underway by presenting our views formally and in the most accessible and noticeable forum possible. That is readily distinguishable from trying end a conversation by telling you what to think. Indeed, we are encouraging you to critically examine issues that are most often presented as axiomatic. Some of you are doing just that. We appreciate your efforts, and we are paying attention.
Matthew K Chew Assistant Research Professor Arizona State University School of Life Sciences ASU Center for Biology & Society PO Box 873301 Tempe, AZ 85287-3301 USA Tel 480.965.8422 Fax 480.965.8330 [email protected] or [email protected] http://cbs.asu.edu/people/profiles/chew.php http://asu.academia.edu/MattChew
