Rapid responses are electronic comments to the editor. They enable our users
to debate issues raised in articles published on bmj.com. A rapid response
is first posted online. If you need the URL (web address) of an individual
response, simply click on the response headline and copy the URL from the
browser window. A proportion of responses will, after editing, be published
online and in the print journal as letters, which are indexed in PubMed.
Rapid responses are not indexed in PubMed and they are not journal articles.
The BMJ reserves the right to remove responses which are being
wilfully misrepresented as published articles or when it is brought to our
attention that a response spreads misinformation.
From March 2022, the word limit for rapid responses will be 600 words not
including references and author details. We will no longer post responses
that exceed this limit.
The word limit for letters selected from posted responses remains 300 words.
This article provides a splendid candidate for the BMJ's recent
request for words to ban, namely 'pro-life'. Isn't it utterly absurd that
the phrase is used to describe someone who campaigns for a course of
action that will probably lead to the death of a child? May I suggest
'Christian fundamentalist' as a more accurate alternative.
Another word to ban?
This article provides a splendid candidate for the BMJ's recent
request for words to ban, namely 'pro-life'. Isn't it utterly absurd that
the phrase is used to describe someone who campaigns for a course of
action that will probably lead to the death of a child? May I suggest
'Christian fundamentalist' as a more accurate alternative.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests