Open access risks ‘breeding publishing snakes’

Neuroscientist warns push for reform of journals could trigger unintended consequences via Cobra Effect

The push for open access in research publishing is undermining the whole edifice of research publishing, a leading neuroscientist has warned.

The open access movement has garnered many supporters with its push to make results free to read for the whole of society. But Sergio Della Sala believes it risks triggering a so-called Cobra Effect—terrible, unintended consequences that are actually worse than the original problem.