NASA has expressed its disapproval over Science Magazine’s decision to retract a 2010 paper on a bacterium that can grow using arsenic instead of phosphorus, due to a new standard set by the journal. The agency stands behind the original research and encourages Science to reconsider its retraction, citing concerns over protecting the integrity of the scientific process.
A statement from NASA’s associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate notes that the “Gold Standard of Science” is essential for making discoveries about our solar system and humanity’s place in it. However, Science Magazine’s new policy, which requires retraction of publications if there’s a disconnection between data and conclusions, is unprecedented and has been applied selectively to this particular paper.
NASA does not condone or support the retraction decision made by Science, as it upends current standards in research and science fields. The agency emphasizes the importance of pre-publication peer review and encourages those who publish intellectually risky results for the benefit of humanity.
The issue highlights the inconsistency between Science Magazine’s initial promotion of the 2010 paper and its subsequent retraction after 15 years. A “kids version” of the article was even created in advance, suggesting a level of excitement around the discovery that has now been reversed.
Source: https://nasawatch.com/astrobiology/science-magazine-retracts-nasa-astrobiology-paper-but-only-after-15-years