American Journal of Medical Genetics 39:371 (1991)
Letter to the Editor Journal Policies Concerning Free Access to Scientific Materials To the Editor: Last year, Schimke (1988)provided a n excellent commentary on the rapid distribution of research materials (including cell lines and DNA probes among others) following publication. It is obvious to all that the rapid distribution of such materials is to the benefit of science and medicine a s a whole, but Schimke also argues that it benefits the individual and makes the whole process of scientific investigation more fun. Further, he makes specific recommendations that journals, academic institutions, and granting agencies should have explicit policies concerning free access to materials and each should serve a role in enforcing these policies. I agree with Schimke’s comments, and suggest that each journal should develop a specific policy statement concerning authors’ responsibility for distribution of materials. Many journals already have such policies, which generally state that submission of the paper implies that any unique materials described in the report will be made available to all qualified investigators. For DNA sequence information, there is often a requirement that proof of submission to a n appropriate database is provided as a condition of acceptance. A particularly important issue for a medical genetics journal is that of unique patient material. Current policy statements in other journals would suggest that if a cell line is described in the report, that cell line should be made available upon publication. However, frequently, a n initial case report may not rely on analysis of a cell line rather than blood samples, e.g., chromosome analysis from lymphocytes with a balanced translocation or deletion which will be useful in mapping and cloning of a n important gene. Once this discovery is made, it may be simple to obtain a n additional blood sample (if the patient is available and cooperative) for transformation of a permanent lymphoblastoid cell line or to submit a blood sample to the Human Genetic Mu-
Fkceived for publication August 9, 1989. Address reprint requests to Dr. David H. Ledbetter, Institute for Molecular Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
0 1991 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
tant Cell Repository in Camden, N.J., for transformation and distribution. The capacity of the Camden Repository is, of course, limited, and not every patient or family will be deemed appropriate for submission. However, I think that a policy can be developed to make a reasonable effort to make cell lines available, understanding that there will be uncooperative patients, logistical difficulties in distribution, etc. Such a policy might be summarized as follows: “Submission of a manuscript to the American Journal of Medical Genetics based on unique materials (e.g., cloned DNAs, animal or human cells, somatic cell hybrids, computer programs, etc.) implies that the authors agree to make these materials available a t publication to all qualified investigators. When appropriate, authors agree to offer probes, libraries, cells, or cell lines to a repository for general distribution. For DNA sequence and linkage data, authors agree to offer data for deposit to the appropriate data banks.” Can and should a journal attempt to enforce such a policy? Again, I agree with Schimke that this can be done and is appropriate. Investigators who are denied access to materials published in a journal with a Free Access Requirement should report i t to the editors. The editors can then assist in encouraging the authors to make every reasonable effort to honor the journal policy. Blatant cases of lack of compliance could be punished by the denial of future submission rights to that journal.
REFERENCE Schimke, RT (1988): Rapid distribution of research materials: Whose responsibility is it? Cell 55:391-393.
David H. Ledbetter Institute for Molecular Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
Letter to the Editor Journal Policies Concerning Free Access to Scientific Materials To the Editor: Last year, Schimke (1988)provided a n excellent commentary on the rapid distribution of research materials (including cell lines and DNA probes among others) following publication. It is obvious to all that the rapid distribution of such materials is to the benefit of science and medicine a s a whole, but Schimke also argues that it benefits the individual and makes the whole process of scientific investigation more fun. Further, he makes specific recommendations that journals, academic institutions, and granting agencies should have explicit policies concerning free access to materials and each should serve a role in enforcing these policies. I agree with Schimke’s comments, and suggest that each journal should develop a specific policy statement concerning authors’ responsibility for distribution of materials. Many journals already have such policies, which generally state that submission of the paper implies that any unique materials described in the report will be made available to all qualified investigators. For DNA sequence information, there is often a requirement that proof of submission to a n appropriate database is provided as a condition of acceptance. A particularly important issue for a medical genetics journal is that of unique patient material. Current policy statements in other journals would suggest that if a cell line is described in the report, that cell line should be made available upon publication. However, frequently, a n initial case report may not rely on analysis of a cell line rather than blood samples, e.g., chromosome analysis from lymphocytes with a balanced translocation or deletion which will be useful in mapping and cloning of a n important gene. Once this discovery is made, it may be simple to obtain a n additional blood sample (if the patient is available and cooperative) for transformation of a permanent lymphoblastoid cell line or to submit a blood sample to the Human Genetic Mu-
Fkceived for publication August 9, 1989. Address reprint requests to Dr. David H. Ledbetter, Institute for Molecular Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
0 1991 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
tant Cell Repository in Camden, N.J., for transformation and distribution. The capacity of the Camden Repository is, of course, limited, and not every patient or family will be deemed appropriate for submission. However, I think that a policy can be developed to make a reasonable effort to make cell lines available, understanding that there will be uncooperative patients, logistical difficulties in distribution, etc. Such a policy might be summarized as follows: “Submission of a manuscript to the American Journal of Medical Genetics based on unique materials (e.g., cloned DNAs, animal or human cells, somatic cell hybrids, computer programs, etc.) implies that the authors agree to make these materials available a t publication to all qualified investigators. When appropriate, authors agree to offer probes, libraries, cells, or cell lines to a repository for general distribution. For DNA sequence and linkage data, authors agree to offer data for deposit to the appropriate data banks.” Can and should a journal attempt to enforce such a policy? Again, I agree with Schimke that this can be done and is appropriate. Investigators who are denied access to materials published in a journal with a Free Access Requirement should report i t to the editors. The editors can then assist in encouraging the authors to make every reasonable effort to honor the journal policy. Blatant cases of lack of compliance could be punished by the denial of future submission rights to that journal.
REFERENCE Schimke, RT (1988): Rapid distribution of research materials: Whose responsibility is it? Cell 55:391-393.
David H. Ledbetter Institute for Molecular Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
