Special to WorldTribune.com
A science journal has retracted a paper that posited the movement of the human hand is the product of a “Creator”.
After a number of scathing peer reviews, the PLOS ONE journal retracted the paper titled “Biomechanical characteristics of hand coordination in grasping activities of daily living”.
The paper was written by a team of four researchers, three from Huazhong University in China, and one from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts.
The researchers used 30 participants to study the mechanics of how the human hand grasps things.
The researchers wrote that the link between muscles and hand movements is the product of “proper design by the Creator.”
Human hand coordination “should indicate the mystery of the Creator’s invention,” the researchers said.
Scientists immediately blasted the paper, labeling it “unacceptable” and lambasting the “sloppy job” done by the reviewers and editors. Some said PLOS ONE should be boycotted unless amends were made.
In retracting the paper, the journal said on its website that: “The PLOS ONE editors have followed up on the concerns raised about this publication. We have completed an evaluation of the history of the submission and received advice from two experts in our editorial board. Our internal review and the advice we have received have confirmed the concerns about the article and revealed that the peer review process did not adequately evaluate several aspects of the work.
“In light of the concerns identified, the PLOS ONE editors have decided to retract the article, the retraction is being processed and will be posted as soon as possible. We apologize for the errors and oversight leading to the publication of this paper.”
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