Opinion
- Editorials from Nature - The journal's opinions.
- Columns from Nature News - Personal opinions from our columnists.
Editorials and commentary from Nature
- 25 November 2009
  Opinion pieces from the latest issue of Nature. You will need a subscription to Nature (rather than Nature News) to access some of this content.
- Editorials from the latest issue
  - Opinion from Nature's Editor in Chief and the editorial team, as published in the front of the journal each week. Get clear views on matters of importance to the science community. Go to the Nature editorials
    - Conservative vacuum
      
      Britain's main opposition party needs policies for research and for universities.
      
      25 November 2009
    - Getting what you pay for
      
      The US Food and Drug Administration cannot fulfil its mandate without a serious funding boost.
      
      25 November 2009
    - Democratic fallacy
      
      Japan's effort to make budget allocations by public hearing could be good for the country and for science, but not as currently planned.
      
      25 November 2009
Columns
- Our columnists dig their teeth into everything from US politics to global warming on Pluto. Read their personal opinions - and let us know what you think. Click on an author's name to find more of their writing.
- Most recent
  - World view: Experts and democracy - Premium content
    
    Specialist advice can be invaluable in shaping policy, but, argues Colin Macilwain, democracies need to keep a careful eye on the powers acquired by an unelected elite.
    
    18 November 2009
  - In which we say goodbye - Premium content
    
    Our departing columnist David Goldston reflects on some misconceptions about science and politics.
    
    04 November 2009
  - What toys can tell us - Premium content
    
    Sometimes all you need to do scientific research is string, sealing wax and a bit of imagination, says Philip Ball.
    
    05 October 2009
  Most commented
  - Is religion good for your health? - Premium content
    
    Religion arose to protect us from disease, US researchers claim. Philip Ball unpicks the idea.
    
    01 August 2008
  - Who says the Internet broadens your horizons? - Premium content
    
    Online access to scientific journals can be a mixed blessing, as Philip Ball finds out.
    
    17 July 2008
  - The scientist delusion - Premium content
    
    Religious resistance to science is often exaggerated, but fresh problems may lie ahead, says David Goldston.
    
    05 March 2008
  We recommend
  - Read some of the classic columns from the archive of Nature News.
    - Climate future - Premium content
      
      Deciding how to evaluate a cap-and-trade programme raises some thorny questions, says David Goldston.
      
      03 June 2009
    - When is a pandemic not a pandemic? - Premium content
      
      Arguments about the pandemic status of swine flu are a distraction from tackling the outbreak, warns Declan Butler.
      
      21 May 2009
    - How much reason do you want? - Premium content
      
      The 'war' between science and religion is stuck in a rut. Can we change the record now, asks Philip Ball?
      
      14 May 2009
  - - More columns