Molecular Human Reproduction

Edited by:
  • Robert G. Edwards
Oxford University Press. 12/yr. Europe £341, elsewhere $605 (institutional); Europe £105, elsewhere $176 (personal)
Credit: MARK DOBSON

The emergence of many new species of journals in recent years — like the flowering of new forms of life in the Cambrian period — is bound to be followed by mass extinctions, as only the fittest will survive. Reproductive biology and medicine have had their share of new arrivals, but Molecular Human Reproduction stands an excellent chance of surviving because it has a well-adapted phenotype and fills a vacant ecological niche.

Lest readers wonder whether such flattery is merely a friendly salute to the editors, genuine enthusiasm is better gauged by my subscription to the journal — which is attractively priced for both personal and institutional subscribers, especially as a package with Human Reproduction and Human Reproduction Update (a review journal available on CD-ROM).

This family of journals is cornering many important papers in reproduction, and not only from European laboratories. Its success reflects a dynamic and remarkable field, but is also much to the credit of Robert Edwards. Who better than the pioneer of in vitro fertilization to be the managing editor?

Molecular Human Reproduction evolved from Human Reproduction as a response to rapidly expanding research programmes in embryology, gametogenesis and genetic aspects of infertility, so that the mother journal could be free to concentrate on its more traditional, clinically related subjects. It also publishes reviews, letters and articles about ethical and legal aspects of the new technology.

Perusal of these monthlies is now virtually obligatory for scientists and clinicians working in the assisted-conception field, and more and more authors make them their first choice for publishing their best work. A publication time in Molecular Human Reproduction of no more than three months after refereeing is another incentive. The journals are produced to the high standards that modern molecular biology and microscopy require for illustration. They will soon be published electronically and catalogued in the leading bibliographic databases.

My normal wait-and-see policy before submitting papers to new journals now seems unduly cautious, as Molecular Human Reproduction is set to become a dominant species in the reproduction literature.