The policy outlined on this page applies to Nature journals (those with the word "Nature" in their title). NPG publishes many other journals, each of which has separate publication policies described on its website. A current list of these journals, with links to each journal's homepage is available.

Nature journal editors may seek advice about submitted papers not only from technical reviewers but also on any aspect of a paper that raises concerns. These may include, for example, ethical issues or issues of data or materials access. Very occasionally, concerns may also relate to the implications to society of publishing a paper, including threats to security. In such circumstances, advice will usually be sought simultaneously with the technical peer-review process. As in all publishing decisions, the ultimate decision whether to publish is the responsibility of the editor of the Nature journal concerned.

The threat posed by bioweapons raises the unusual need to assess the balance of risk and benefit in publication. Editors are not necessarily well qualified to make such judgements unassisted, and so we reserve the right to take expert advice in cases where we believe that concerns may arise. We recognize the widespread view that openness in science helps to alert society to potential threats and to defend against them, and we anticipate that only very rarely (if at all) will the risks be perceived as outweighing the benefits of publishing a paper that has otherwise been deemed appropriate for a Nature journal. Nevertheless, we think it appropriate to consider such risks and to have a formal policy for dealing with them if need arises.

The editorial staff of Nature journals maintains a network of advisers on biosecurity issues. All concerns on that score, including the commissioning of external advice, will be shared within an editorial monitoring group consisting of the Editor-in-Chief of Nature publications, the Executive Editor of the Nature research journals, the Chief Biological Sciences Editor of Nature, and the chief editor of the journal concerned.

Once a decision has been reached, authors will be informed if biosecurity advice has informed that decision. Please see the joint statement by journal editors.

Nature journal editorials providing more details on biosecurity policies and publishing issues:

Nature Medicine: Freedom of information

Nature: Statement on the consideration of biodefence and biosecurity

Nature Immunology: Dealing with potential dangers

Nature Methods: The challenge of responsible methods

Nature Immunology: Biosecurity with 'bio-sense'

Nature: Rules of engagement

Nature: Risks and benefits of dual-use research

Nature: Network of concern

Nature: Towards better biosecurity

The entire guide for Editorial Policies is available in PDF format.