Bionet newgroup public archives

Bionet is a long-established biological newsgroups service, allowing biologists to discuss issues and exchange views via a network of different topic-based newsgroups. Their archives have always been publicly available. Recently some posters have been asking Bionet to remove their old postings from the archives.

Apparently Google has made these old postings more visible and some people are uncomfortable that their past is catching up with them.

Bionet are sticking firm to the principle that what is posted is in the public record and cannot be undone, but are a little worried about legal implications.

Bionet give the following advice to their users::

Be aware your discussions are being read by 1,000s of people around the world.
Be aware they also are part of a continuing record of science discussion.
Be civil and thoughtful, and limit yourself to biology science discussion among professionals, and to particular group topics

See the Bioforum list archives for July and August for more discussion.