Mutation Research, 304 (1994) 301-302 301 © 1994 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved 0027-5107/94/$07.00

MUT 05367

Series: Current Issues in Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis, No. 40

J o h n A s h b y *

Zeneca, Central Toxicology Laboratory, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SKIO 4TZ, UK

(Received 19 October 1993) (Accepted 21 October 1993)

Keyword: Current Issues

Current Issues has now reached its 40th arti- cle. The series was started in 1987 in an attempt to encourage discussion of the interface between mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, and to study how the former may be used to predict the latter as well as having an identity separate from carcino- genesis. It is only recently that unsolicited inter- est has been shown in the series, and with this in mind the objectives of the series are discussed anew here.

There are those who eschew controversy and those who thrive on it. In between these extremes there is a responsibility incumbent upon us all to optimize current knowledge such that scientific observations in this area can be harnessed to focus attempts to discern significant environmen- tal hazards to the human genome. This need is particularly relevant when attempts are made to relate mutagenesis to carcinogenesis. In particu- lar, there is an obvious duty for investigators to interpret their data, but an equal need, when appropriate, for others to be able to express disagreement with those original conclusions. Yet, dissenting opinions are often only found accept- able for publications when accompanied by fur- ther data - - i.e. the generation of addition data has become the accepted means by which to express an opinion on the significance of earlier data. Current Issues was instigated to break this vicious circle of new data sometimes only replac-

* Corresponding author.

ing the real need for a synthesis or reinterpreta- tion of existing data.

It is perhaps worth reminding readers that opinions expressed in Current Issues are subject only to general editorial review - - usually no changes are requested of authors. In cases where a person feels inhibited from expressing a general opinion (i.e. non-personal) because it may not be owned by their employer, anonymous publication will be considered.

Finally, it is important to accept that an open discussion of the significance of data is central to the scientific process. This process was discussed in some detail by Lawrence in 1822 when his then provocative electrochemical theory of physiology was being attacked as unwarranted and destruc- tive of earlier concepts. The few lines f rom his text reproduced here happen also to capture the intended purpose of Current Issues:

By a curious inconsistency of the human mind, difference of opinion is more offensive and intolera- ble in proportion as the subject is of a more refined nature, and less susceptible of direct proof . . . When favourite speculations have been long indulged, and much pains have been bestowed on them, they are viewed with that parental partiality which can- not bear to hear of faults in the object of its attachment. The mere doubt of an impartial ob- server is offensive; and the discovery of any thing like a blemish in the darling is not only ascribed to an entire want of discrimination of judgement, but resented as an injury.

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To discover truth, and to represent it in the clearest and most intelligible manner, seem to me the only proper objects o f any enquiry. Free discus- sion is the surest way not only to disclose and strengthen what is true, but to detect and expose what is fallacious. . . The argument against the expediency o f divulging an opinion - - the possibil- ity o f its being perverted - - has been so much hackneyed that every one who is conversant with controversy rejects it immediately as the sure mark o f a bad cause, as the last refuge of a retreating error. To fair argument and free discussion I shall never object, even i f they shouM completely destroy

my own opinions; for my object is truth, not vic- tory.

R e a d e r s a re invi ted to express the i r op in ions on how any r ecen t obse rva t ion in carc inogenes i s or mu tagenes i s may i l lumina te the o ther , and how ei ther , or the i r re la t ionsh ip , may aid in the p ro t ec t i on of the h u m a n genome.

Reference

Lawrence, W. (1822) Lectures on Physiology, Zoology and the Natural History of Man, Benbow, London.