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Title: Scientific paper which says the human hand was designed by a 'Creator' sparks controversy
Source:
Independent
URL Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/s ... -one-creatorgate-a6910171.html
Published: Mar 4, 2016
Author: Doug Bolton
Post Date: 2016-03-04 07:09:59 by cranky
Keywords: None
Views: 225
The paper's perceived references to intelligent design have provoked anger and calls for a boycott of the journal A recent scientific paper on the movement of the human hand has faced strong criticism for referring to a 'Creator' throughout. The paper, titled: 'Biomechanical characteristics of hand coordination in grasping activities of daily living' was written by a team of four researchers, three from Huazhong University in China, and one from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. Published in the PLOS ONE journal, the fairly conventional study looked at the mechanics of how we grasp things, and involved the measurement of the hand movements of 30 participants. However, members of the scientific community have demanded the paper be retracted, for its several perceived references to the pseudoscientific theory of intelligent design and a possibly divine 'Creator'. In the opening sentences of the study, it claims the link between muscles and hand movements is the product of "proper design by the Creator." Later, it says human hand coordination "should indicate the mystery of the Creator's invention," and concludes by again claiming the mechanical architecture of the hand is the result of "proper design by the Creator." Thanks @PLOSONE for feeding arguments to those who say open access = lower quality. The #Creatorgate article is a harmful disgrace. ಠ_ಠ — Simon (@simonmd) March 3, 2016 Just found out @PLOSONE published a paper with “evidence” about some “creator”. If not retracted immediately, I will resign as editor. — Anxo Sánchez (@anxosan) March 3, 2016 "Hand coordination should indicate the mystery of the Creator" Naturally, the multiple references to intelligent design in a reputable journal like PLOS ONE have stoked anger in the scientific community, and many people, including researchers who work as editors for the publication, are now calling for it to be retracted. The paper's authors appeared to acknowledge their mistakes in the comments section, saying the references to the 'Creator' were down to translation errors rather than a belief in intelligent design. Other comments on the paper called its publication "unacceptable", and criticised the "sloppy job" done by the reviewers and editors. Some scientists said the journal should be boycotted unless amends are made. Commenting below the study, the journal's staff apologised that the language referring to a 'Creator' was not addressed during the paper's evaluation. 
I knew PLOS ONE wasn't top tier, but really? So bad. https://t.co/p0c8Sjs6SV — Chris Intagliata (@cintagliata) March 3, 2016
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