o the Editor:

The failure of biomedical scientists and journals to report negative findings of their studies, as reported in "Science Needs a Healthy Negative Outlook" (Week in Review, July 7), could be substantially remedied if the federal government, which finances a large proportion of biomedical research, were to require as a condition of financing that such reports be published.

Since journals cannot be compelled to publish reports they do not wish to, the federal government should also maintain a Web site where these reports must be published.  
ALAN MEISEL
Pittsburgh, July 8, 2002
The writer is director of the Center for Bioethics and Health Law, University of Pittsburgh.