PLOS statement on recent US Executive Orders and scientific integrity

Since its founding over twenty five years ago PLOS has been dedicated to advancing open science, ensuring that knowledge is accessible to all, for the benefit of all.  We believe that for science to maximally benefit society and inform policy, its core principles—integrity, transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration—must be upheld. These same principles are the foundation of our mission and guide our unwavering commitment to champion science that is independent, rigorous, and open. 

We are deeply concerned about a range of recent US Executive Orders that collectively have the potential to dismantle the US scientific enterprise as it has existed for the past 70 years.  We are already seeing the impact of these disruptions and censorship efforts within our communities.  Any attempts to restrict knowledge creation or censor its dissemination—whether through limiting research topics, mandating or restricting specific language, or removing scientifically and medically valuable data from government websites—undermine the core principles of scientific inquiry and obstruct progress. And they stand in direct conflict with our core values, our mission and our editorial policies. 

PLOS will not compromise on issues of scientific rigor and editorial integrity. Our editorial policies, designed to safeguard the integrity of the peer review process and ensure the accuracy, reliability, and accountability of published research, remain unchanged. We will not approve changes to terminology or removal of data that compromise the scientific accuracy of content. Requests to remove legitimate authors from manuscripts violate our authorship policies which are grounded in principles of credit, accountability and transparency. Our editorial policies ensure that we work within a framework of agreed-upon standards and practices that foster consistency and maintain accuracy across the scientific community. 

Research thrives when rooted in the open exchange of ideas, different perspectives, and international cooperation. A variety of perspectives in the editorial process is essential to ensure a broad range of expertise and experiences inform how research is conducted, interpreted and evaluated. At PLOS, we seek diversity because more expert voices make for better science. We are proud to collaborate with a global community who dedicate their time, energy and expertise to ensuring that research serves society in the most impactful way possible.

We are actively working to understand the evolving implications of these directives and the disruption they have brought.  Many researchers and institutions are facing difficult challenges and we want to reassure our community that we remain dedicated to the advancement of open science. Openness enables rigorous review and objective analysis, allowing the self-correcting mechanisms of science to function and ensuring research stands up to scrutiny. And open science facilitates innovations that continue to improve virtually every aspect of human and planetary life.

PLOS will always anchor our decisions in our values and our principles. And we will continue to speak up vocally for open, independent science.