Generative AI in Scientific Writing
Introduction
This policy outlines the guidelines for the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Drug Discovery News’editorial processes. It covers the use of AI-generated text, data, and imagery for both in-house and contributed content. The policy is designed to ensure that our use of AI tools aligns with DDN’s commitment to accuracy, transparency, and ethical standards in publishing.
Scope
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and contributors involved in the editorial process at Drug Discovery News, including writers, editors, illustrators, and content managers.
In-house editorial use of generative AI
All editorial content in Drug Discovery News is written by our editors, freelance reporters, and contributing writers. Content bylined to the DDN Content Team is generated with the assistance of generative AI tools by a team of editors and writers.
We use generative AI tools in the following editorial processes:
- Research and background synthesis: Helping editors and writers survey a topic before drafting begins, organize materials, summarize interviews and more.
- SEO and structural optimization: Improving discoverability while preserving editorial intent.
- Copy editing and quality review: Assisting with grammar, clarity, style guide consistency, and fact-check flagging.
- Headline, dek, and social media post suggestions: Supporting efficient production workflows.
If we use generative AI for purposes beyond those listed above, we will declare its use on the piece of content itself as follows: "This article was produced under DDN's AI Editorial Policy."
Similarly, any use of AI in image creation will be declared in the credit information of the image.
Editorially, in all cases, a human editor and/or writer will always review every piece of content before publication. While editors retain discretion over when and how these tools are used to support their workflows, the DDN editorial team does not publish content written by generative AI.
As generative AI is an evolving field, we will update this policy as necessary.
Contributed content including requirements for publication
Any use of AI must not breach journalistic ethics, and plagiarism will not be tolerated — DDN’s editorial team runs all contributed content through trusted plagiarism detection software as part of the publication’s standard review process. Content submitted to DDN's must be the author’s own and must not present others’ data, words, or imagery without seeking permission (if applicable) and providing appropriate citation.
The use of AI must be declared and clearly explained. Writers who use AI or AI-assisted tools during the writing process must disclose their use upon submission of the draft to DDN's.
In instances where AI-assisted tools have been used to generate text, the following disclaimer will be included to ensure transparency to our readers:
Generative AI images
Drug Discovery News follows existing copyright law and best practices regarding the publication of imagery. As the situation relating to AI-generated images and videos remains broadly unresolved, we do not permit third parties and external contributors of any kind to use AI or AI-assisted tools to create or alter images they submit to DDN for publication on our website.
Generative AI may be used by our in-house editorial team to create or alter images. Images created or altered using AI tools will be appropriately and clearly credited and labelled to provide transparency for our readers.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
- Compliance: All uses of generative AI must comply with current laws and regulations concerning copyright, data security, and privacy.
- Ethical Use: AI tools must be used responsibly, avoiding the intentional creation or dissemination of misleading, biased, or harmful content.
Training and Awareness
Employees and contributors must be provided with training on the ethical use of AI tools, including understanding the limitations and biases of these technologies.
Evolving AI strategies
Drug Discovery News appreciates that this area is changing rapidly. As such, it will monitor developments related to the use of generative AI in publishing and will review and adapt its policy should it be appropriate to do so.
We are committed to maintaining high journalistic standards and encourage our readers to share their feedback on our use of AI via our Contact Us page.
Corrections/Fact Checking Policy
DDN's content is edited and directed by a team of PhD-trained science writers who work diligently to fact check and ensure that each story, infographic, podcast, video, and article is accurate. In the event of an error or misattribution, we will correct it as soon as possible and post a dated correction, clarification, or editor’s note near the bottom of the article. If a mistake occurs in a story that first appeared in the print magazine, we will also publish a correction notice in the table of contents of the next possible issue. If you detect an error in one of our articles, please email DDN’s senior editor, Andrea Corona, at acorona@drugdiscoverynews.com. Corrections are made at the discretion of DDN’s editorial staff.
Comment Policy
Comments posted to DDN's Facebook page, LinkedIn page, and YouTube account, and to the Infectious Disease Network Facebook page will be moderated by a member of the editorial team soon after they appear on those sites.
Comments will be removed from these sites immediately for these reasons:
a) are abusive
b) are libelous
c) contain ad hominem attacks
d) contain spam, including irrelevant links to commercial websites
e) are off-topic
g) promote hate of any kind
h) contain profanity
Readers or other interested parties may alert the staff to a potential problem with a particular comment, but the final decision to remove that comment will be made by DDN.
We reserve the right to edit, delete, move, or mark any comment as spam. We also retain the right to block access for anyone who comments inappropriately on our sites.
All comments are the responsibility of the commenter, not DDN or its site administrator, contributor, editor, or author. By submitting a comment to our sites, you agree that the comment content is your own, and to hold www.drugdiscoverynews.com and all subsidiaries and representatives harmless from any and all repercussions, damages, or liability.
Ethics Policy
DDN adheres to widely accepted journalism ethics and practices. The editorial staff remains separate from the brand’s commercial activities and creates content independent of input from advertisers, sponsors, marketers, or salespeople. Author conflicts of interest are avoided or declared clearly.
Ownership/Funding Statement
Drug Discovery News is a US-based publication for life science professionals dedicated to covering translational, preclinical, and clinical research. DDN is owned by LabX Media Group (LMG), a leading worldwide science publishing company that delivers meaningful industry content and integrated marketing solutions for the scientific community. LMG’s brands and product solutions deliver trusted, timely, and in-depth information across print and digital products to empower our customers and advance their research. LMG is headquartered in Midland, Ontario, Canada and employs more than 185 staff across Canada, the US, and the UK.
DDN is funded by advertising sales for our print magazine and website. Other revenue sources include custom publishing projects such as sponsored webinars, videos, infographics, posters, ebooks, and whitepapers, which are created by our Custom Content Team.
