Scientific Paper Attributing Design of Human Hand to a 'Creator' is Criticized and Eventually Retracted

A scientific paper that attributed the design of the human hand to a Creator has been heavily criticized and eventually retracted.

Independent reports that the paper, published in the PLOS ONE journal and titled “Biomechanical characteristics of hand coordination in grasping activities of daily living,” detailed the movement of the human hand and explored the mechanics of how humans grasp things. It also measured the hand movements of 30 participants.

The paper was written by three Chinese researchers and one American researcher from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts.

The researchers wrote in the paper that hand coordination “should indicate the mystery of the Creator’s invention.” The paper goes on to claim that the mechanical architecture of the hand is due to “proper design by the Creator.”

These assertions have put the researchers and the paper under fire from many in the scientific community.

“Just found out @PLOSONE published a paper with “evidence” about some “creator,” tweeted Anxo Sánchez. “If not retracted immediately, I will resign as editor.”

“‘Hand coordination should indicate the mystery of the Creator.’ I knew PLOS ONE wasn’t top tier, but really? So bad,” tweeted Chris Intagliata.

The vocal criticism has led the journal to retract the paper and to assert that the process of peer evaluation for the paper was not as thorough as it should have been.

“In light of the concerns identified, the PLOS ONE editors have decided to retract the article, the retraction is being processed and will be posted as soon as possible. We apologize for the errors and oversight leading to the publication of this paper,” stated the journal’s editors.

Publication date: March 4, 2016