Researchers’ professional mobility, moreover, depends largely on their publication histories. The panelists agreed that publication restrictions would likely impede the flow of minds from university to university that allows for the development and dissemination of innovative ideas.

While she dismissed the possibility that a war with Iraq—or the absence of war—would affect research restrictions, Widnall said that the exchanges that her report and general concern has incited within the scientific community is particularly important as the nation continues to struggle with conflict between openness and restriction.

“This period of dialogue is extremely important,” she said.

The Forum was organized as part of the 2003 Northeast Regional Student Pugwash Conference on the topic of “Science and Conflict.”

—Staff writer Nathan J. Heller can be reached at heller@fas.harvard.edu.