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<< back to the 2004 archive listing << Food Protection Trends President's Perspective “Science in our brave new world” If you’re like me, the two journals that are a must read each month are the Journal of Food Protection and Food Protection Trends. All of us have busy schedules and it’s difficult to carve out enough time to read the plethora of scientific journals and trade publications that cross our desks or E-mails each month. The Journal of Food Protection, since its introduction in 1937, has grown to become internationally recognized as the leading publication in the field of food microbiology and safety with a readership of over 11,000 scientists from over 69 countries around the globe. The Journal of Food Protection brings you the most up-to-date, original research reports and reviews addressing critical issues in the area of food safety. In 2003, the Journal of Food Protection received over 600 submitted papers, a 20% increase over 2002. This phenomenal growth in manuscript submissions is a testament to the strength and importance of the Journal of Food Protection to our profession. Our three Scientific Editors, Mike Davidson, Joe Frank, and John Sofos are to be commended for the job they do in managing the content of the Journal of Food Protection. I am grateful for their dedication and hard work in making the Journal of Food Protection the premier publication in our profession. I am also grateful to the over 125 IAFP members who serve on the Journal of Food Protection Editorial Board. Without the volunteer commitment of these busy professionals, our journal would not be what it is today. The other journal that I make it a point to read each month is Food Protection Trends (no, not just to see any pretty face or read my own columns!). Food Protection Trends is published as the general membership publication of your association and it contains peer-reviewed articles on applied research, applications of current technology and general interest articles for our membership. It is also a major communication tool for your association, listing upcoming meetings and workshops and association news and official business. Food Protection Trends is read by over 9,000 professionals around the world. The Scientific Editor of Food Protection Trends is Bill LaGrange, who is also to be commended for the job he does every month in managing the scientific content of the journal. I am also grateful to the over 50 IAFP members who serve on the Food Protection Trends Editorial Board. Without their involvement it would not be possible to produce such a quality publication. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the fine work that Bev Brannen, Administrative Editor, and Didi Loynanchan, Administrative Assistant do for the Journal of Food Protection. Donna Bahun, Production Editor, and Pam Wanninger, Proofreader for Food Protection Trends, do the same making each of these journals the best in our profession. Your Executive Board is committed to making each of the journals the best they
can be. The complex times in which we live present new challenges rarely seen
in the past by our Scientific Editors and reviewers. The publication of sensitive
scientific information since the horrible events of 9/11 and the subsequent
anthrax letter attacks present challenges few of us in our profession have thought
about before. The First Amendment to the US Constitution states that, “Congress
shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech”. So how do we
ensure compliance with the first amendment but ensure that information published
in our journals won’t unwittingly be used by organized terrorists or rogue
individuals to commit nefarious acts against society? Your Executive Board,
working with our Scientific Editors have taken steps to address this issue by
adopting a modified review policy for submitted manuscripts dealing with sensitive
issues, such as bioterrorism or food security. While this new policy may not
be perfect, it does attempt to bring an appropriate level of scrutiny to manuscripts
of a sensitive nature while balancing first amendment rights. The National Research
Council issued a report in 2003 entitled “Biotechnology Research in an
Age of Terrorism: Confronting the ‘Dual Use’ Dilemma”. This report
recommended that scientists should voluntarily restrict dissemination of information
that may aid terrorists. The committee also proposed a continuing dialogue between
editors and national security experts to decide what results might be too dangerous
to publish. I believe each of us has a responsibility to look at our research
with a new perspective. Can this information be unwittingly used to inflict
damage on society? If so, is there another way to disseminate the information
to those who legitimately need it to do research? I admit these are not easy
questions, however, I believe if we don’t take a more critical perspective,
then we are unwittingly aiding those who want to do harm. The British Viscountess
and politician, Lady Nancy Astor said, “The main dangers in this life are
people who want to change everything or nothing”. I believe not changing
our perspective on the publication of sensitive information to be more selective,
is as dangerous as not sharing any information at all. Both extremes are a clear
danger to our society in my opinion. Science in our brave new world is not as
simple as it once was. As always, please share your thoughts with me at phall@kraft.com.
Until next month… |