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doi:10.1126/science.314.5797.249a

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AVOIDING SEX IN SPACE. Author Laura Woodmansee was ready to sign her new book, Sex in Space, at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) 22 September. But JPL Ethics Officer Lani De Benedictis and her colleague Bonnie Gerszt had other ideas. They sent an e-mail to thousands at the Pasadena, California, lab shortly before the event, noting that the signing had been canceled "due to ethical issues" that were not specified. Woodmansee complained to JPL officials, and De Benedictis later e-mailed her to explain that the decision was made in part based on the book cover, which shows a not-at-all-racy spiral galaxy behind the provocative title.

CREDIT: PUBLISHED IN COLLECTOR'S GUIDE PUBLISHING, 2006 (INSET) NASA

Woodmansee says that her book, which quotes NASA scientists, "includes a lot of science about the possibilities of reproduction in space and on other planets." Her previous works include Women of Space and Women Astronauts. "This has been a heartbreaking week for me," says Woodmansee. "I need to clear my good name as a science journalist, and I'm not sure what to do." JPL spokesperson Veronica McGregor said that the cancellation reflected the lab's policy of not endorsing any products and added that the initial approval to conduct the Sex in Space signing was a mistake made by a new employee.