title: Academic Debate: Publications Which Promote Political Agendas Have no Place in Scientific and Medical Journals, and Academics Should Refrain from Publishing in Such Journals.
abstract: This paper presents the full debate held on October 1, 2014, which focused on the following resolution: "Publications which promote political agendas have no place in scientific and medical journals, and academics should refrain from publishing in such journals." The debate moderator was Professor Shimon Glick. Taking the pro stance was Professor A. Mark Clarfield; the con stance was held by Professor Rael D. Strous. Following the first part of the debate, Dr Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet, gave his thoughts on the topic. This was followed by the opportunity for rebuttal by Professors Clarfield and Strous. The debate was summarized and closed by Professor Glick. This paper provides a slightly edited text of the debate, for ease of reading.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel;
authors.forename: Shimon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Glick
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel; ; Medical School for International Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel;
authors.forename: A Mark
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Clarfield
authors.affiliation: Beer Yaakov Mental Health Center, Beer Yaakov, Israel; ; Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Rael D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Strous
authors.affiliation: Editor-in-Chief, The Lancet, London, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Horton
keywords: Debate; medical journal; politics; publication ethics; scientific journal