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Case 14a :

To the "New England Journal of Medicine" or to the "New York Times" ?

Grayson staunchly concluded at the end of his presentation that,

"No matter how I run the numbers, no matter how many more variables I add to dilute the basic hypothetical model, the base effect remains the same: there is a strong and statistically significant relationship between a woman's having the COMT genetic abnormality and her being diagnosed with either anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder. It is not only a problem of "cultural cues" from advertisements or "thin" culture. Eating disordered behaviors have a genetic component that is also linked to schizophrenia. And, when we ran the numbers for men with the COMT genetic abnormality, there was no correlation to any eating disorder diagnoses or any other related diagnoses. Women with the COMT genetic abnormality are more likely to have eating disorders than those who do not. Now, we just need to figure out a way to take care of these faulty genes and many cases of eating disorders will disappear".

Miranda, Carmen, and Coop, who are Grayson's colleagues and co-authors beamed. It was such a great finding!

Ah-Fat, a science journalist with the South China Morning Post, spoke to the authors at the end of Grayson's presentation. He asked excitedly,

"Have you all considered publishing a press-release about this amazing finding? You should think to do so. Many people would like to know this so they can test their children before birth. You said there is a test for this gene in your paper, right?"

Miranda chimed in,

"We have not submitted this paper for peer-review yet. We did not expect many people to come to this talk at all. It was just Grayson's post-doctoral farewell talk. I do not think we're ready to say anything to the press".

Carmen, who was well known to the group as the out-going one, exclaimed,

"Oh come on Miranda! You are so dull! Ah-Fat, I will write you a press release and send it to you this evening. I will also put it up on the Department's Facebook page and mine. Actually, Coop, you are in charge of the Department's Facebook page, you can put it up".

Coop said hesitantly, weary of provoking Carmen's ire,

"I am not comfortable to do that now, Miranda".

Carmen sighed heavily, breathing out a sense of annoyance,

"Aiyah… you are all so dull! Grayson, good job. Miranda and Coop, I will put this entire press-release out, whether you can be "comfortable" with it or not. You all need to be more confident!"

• What is the role of a press-release regarding research?
• What are the potential problems associated with Carmen making a press-release of their research through Ah-Fat?
• What university offices must be consulted prior to issuance of a press-release?
   

Imagine you are Grayson:

• As this is your post-doctoral farewell research presentation, what might you wish for Carmen to do here?
• What do you think are the risks and rewards to publishing your findings in a press release and on social media?