Doubt over academic peer review system

27 April 1999

Doubt over academic ‘peer review’ system

THE dangers of the “peer review” system in assessing scientific research on genetically modified (GM) crops are highlighted in The Guardian.

Peer review is where the worth of scientific research is assessed by fellow scientists and academics familiar with the subject matter.

But the peer review method of assessment may encourage consensus to be formed prematurely among groups not open to potentially critical scrutiny from others.

• The Guardian 27/04/99 page v (Higher Education)