They say that the Medical Society's Publications Committee, which is supposed to oversee such matters, was consulted only after the decision that he would have to go had been made. Last night's announcement is certain to recall the AMA's firing six months ago of Dr. George D. Lundberg, editor of JAMA, for publishing an article that touched on presidential sex and impeachment politics. While the issues there were different, both cases raise questions of how far owners should go in exercising control over scientific journals. Lundberg, who now edits the on-line journal Netscape General Medicine, said yesterday that he understands why the Mass. Medical Society would want to use the New England Journal's prestige to promote its other journals. 1 and the journal already is searching for a replacement.
Critics also cite what they see as the society's constant quest for cash.