A Lack of Faith?

Regarding the "disregard syndrome,"1 and various opinions expressed thereafter, there is a deliberate disregard for the scientific papers published from India (probably from other developing countries as well). I can quote numerous examples where a paper on a precise topic ignores mentioning related work already done in certain countries, although those papers have appeared in journals that are included in Medline, Current Contents, and other sources. This may partly be due to lack of faith/rega

Written byKalluri Subba Rao
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Regarding the "disregard syndrome,"1 and various opinions expressed thereafter, there is a deliberate disregard for the scientific papers published from India (probably from other developing countries as well). I can quote numerous examples where a paper on a precise topic ignores mentioning related work already done in certain countries, although those papers have appeared in journals that are included in Medline, Current Contents, and other sources. This may partly be due to lack of faith/regard for what has been done since the information is ignored even if it was complementary and supporting. Science by its very nature demands, in an unqualified way, honesty and respect for other scientists' findings and opinion. This must be sustained in spite of the growing competition in the race for glory and perhaps money. If not, we may have to separate science from science business.
Kalluri Subba Rao
Professor, Biochemistry
University of Hyderabad
Hyderabad- 500 046. India.
ksrsl@uohyd.ernet.in

1. I. Ginsburg, "The disregard syndrome: A menace to honest science?" The Scientist, 15[24]:51, Dec. 10, 2001.
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