The purpose of the Perspectives in General Physiology is to provide a forum where scientific uncertainties or controversies can be discussed in an authoritative, yet open manner.
The Perspectives are solicited by the editors—often based on recommendations by the advisory editors or members of the editorial board, who may be asked to coordinate the process. To frame the issue, two or more experts are invited to present brief points of view on the problem, which are published back-to-back in The Journal. These Perspectives are accompanied by one or two editorial paragraphs that introduce the problem—and invite the submission of comments, in the form of letters-to-the-editor, that are published in a single, predetermined issue (usually four months after publication of the Perspectives). The letters may be no longer than two printed pages (approximately six double-spaced pages) and are subject to editorial review. They may contain no more than one...
