The BMJ wants to do a better job of informing readers about developments in basic science. One of several ways in which we are trying to do this is by including with some research papers a brief commentary on the science underlying the clinical phenomenon described in the paper. The first of these science commentaries, on peanut allergy, appears on p 1275.1
In the next 20 years basic science is likely to transform medical practice. The new genetics will produce greater understanding of disease processes; new treatments, diagnostic tests, and prognostic markers; and a greatly increased ability to predict people’s risks of particular diseases. Some visionaries predict a revolution akin to the appearance of antibiotics. Other developments in science—for example, in imaging—are also likely to have profound effects.
So ordinary doctors should be paying attention to basic science. Ideally, they should also be excited by it. Creativity in science can be just as compelling as creativity in music, painting, or film making—if it is presented in the right way. Sadly our research tells us that many practising doctors feel unequal to the task of keeping up with basic science. They find it hard to understand and often put anything labelled science on one side to read later, often not reading it at all.
We have been trying—particularly with our well received series on science, medicine, and the future—to present science in ways that will be attractive to readers. But our research and our advisers tell us we must go further. We are thus introducing the science commentaries in the expectation that some readers will prefer their basic science in small, bite sized chunks. Importantly, they will be written by a science journalist, using the journalistic skill of presenting complex material in an easily understood and attractive way. In addition we will continue to increase our coverage of basic science in news, editorials, and other parts of the journal. Rather than blinding with science, we hope to offer illumination.
Paper p 1275
References
- 1.Hourihane JO’B, Roberts SA, Warner JO. Resolution of peanut allergy: case-control study. BMJ. 1998;316:1271–1275. doi: 10.1136/bmj.316.7140.1271. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]