Transparency's Edge
![Image](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3DjWY2noAMOtSHUg0Pl6xt9Mf3x4WtKFav__l8l_3ACEt-rnmFDLtNL-qWy4e4BSRQ_N5hG113E6efymuJmKHf0G9B9p-ifDEqBw0qMB7272gvP5UpqLOo0d8_b01Mesd-DV3yXthLPt/s400/photobio.jpg)
I'm thinking about next Monday. Labor Day. While it is a holiday for most, I'll be on a conference call at 7 AM-- one steeped in mystery. While transparency is critical to trust in public science, are there times when it is not warranted? I never even thought about this until today after going under the bus by the folks at Biofortified for taking on a confidential,vacation-time paid assignment with a law firm. They felt that they should know everything I do on my off time in a private arbitration. We (scientists and companies) sometimes work under Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). Me, not so much. But this is very common in all research institutions. My lab has expertise in narrow-bandwidth lighting solutions for plant growth environments. Should have to disclose all of our findings in development in the name of transparency? When a company wants to discuss research or potential funding, it is customary for both parties to sign an NDA. It means that no