Rachel PoretskyApr 26, 2023
Dr Emma Hodcroft 

A Q I've seen: "How did this stay quiet so long?"

Quote from the article:
"Many sources who spoke to Science declined to be named out of fear of legal action from Bogner or of losing GISAID access."

Scientists depend on GISAID access. Fear is powerful.

https://www.science.org/content/article/invented-persona-behind-key-pandemic-database

The ‘invented persona’ behind a key pandemic database

GISAID offers a safe space to post viral genomes. Peter Bogner, its perplexing creator and overseer, may be jeopardizing its future

Apr 20, 2023 at 8:46amWeb
Show threadDr Emma Hodcroft Apr 20, 2023
Also from this article:
'Marion Koopmans ... says she has received multiple calls from Bogner“with a rather intimidating tone.” So have colleagues, she adds. “I have heard similar experiences from quite a few.”'
Show threadDr Emma Hodcroft Apr 20, 2023
And:
"And Science heard many stories about researchers who saw their data curtailed, or cut off, without explanation. Some linked the actions to their being critical of GISAID or being seen as a potential threat."
Show threadDr Emma Hodcroft Apr 20, 2023
Perhaps most shockingly:
"Gangavarapu, who closely collaborates with the Andersen group, received a text message from Meyers that same day, with a screenshot of the offending reference and the message: “good luck with getting further support. I warned you … .”"
Show threadDr Emma Hodcroft Apr 20, 2023
And scientists are monitored:
"Meyers’s email correspondence showed he closely followed which scientists, research leaders, & journalists had been critical of GISAID... Bogner “keeps rap sheets on everybody,” says Kamil, the LSU scientist who corresponded with Meyers for years."
Show threadDr Emma Hodcroft Apr 20, 2023

From an earlier article in Mar 2021:

https://www.science.org/content/article/critics-decry-access-transparency-issues-key-trove-coronavirus-sequences

Critics decry access, transparency issues with key trove of coronavirus sequences

Scientists live in fear of losing access to the GISAID database

Show threadDr Emma Hodcroft Apr 20, 2023

One can only imagine how difficult it is to write an article on a topic it seems many scientists fear ramifications that could stop their research & career in its tracks.

Is that kind of fear & silence good for science generally? Seems doubtful.

Show threadDr Emma Hodcroft Apr 20, 2023
How can we have the conversations it seems like we should be having as a sequence generating, sharing, & analysing community, while such fear remains? How can we have impactful conversations about credit, protection, openness, & analysis when scientists fear punishment?
Show threadf*cking b*tch clubApr 20, 2023

@firefoxx66 I see nothing but red flags all over this.

One person snooping around to see who’s criticizing him?
Inventing a fake persona to deal with others?
Lack of transparency about funding?

And worst of all: a database of viruses in this guy’s hands?

Sounds like a horror film in the making.

Show threadJohn BarrettApr 21, 2023
@firefoxx66 Sounds like time to start a new repository with proper community governance. (Easy to say as a complete outsider; I'm sure the transition would be very difficult.)
Show threadJohn BarrettAug 28, 2024

@firefoxx66 So you did it??!!

Congratulations! #pathoplexus

Show threadTino EberlApr 20, 2023
@firefoxx66 Bei Dir ist echt viel Aufregung im Moment... 😳
Show threadTrudy Harpham PhDApr 20, 2023
@firefoxx66 It's a remarkable story!
Show threadBenedicteCallanApr 20, 2023
@firefoxx66 OMG!!! Welcome to governance matters 101. What was everyone thinking? Governments, Scientific Societies, Philanthropies…
Show threadBenedicteCallanApr 20, 2023
@firefoxx66 And by that I mean how on earth did they let such a critical resource be run by one man…
Show threadDr Emma Hodcroft Apr 20, 2023
@BeneCal In fairness, I can believe there was a fair effort to _not_ make it appear as if it was being run by 1 man. However, these problems aren't new and have been growing. Many people were aware, people who probably could have done more. For them I have no explanation.
Show threadmsgbi Markus SagebielApr 20, 2023
@firefoxx66 @charles_ex @aloa5
Show threadJames LonghurstApr 20, 2023

@firefoxx66

what in the world did I just read

Show threadDarrenApr 20, 2023
@firefoxx66 just wow. when bioinformatics databases go bad.. it’s interesting that in a strange way he was an enforcer of some very complex game theory, and probably suited to it, given his apparently own pathological nature. #gisaid