Withdrawal Policy

The Frontiers in Biotechnology and Genetics journal, like other academic journals, would have a withdrawal policy to address the circumstances under which authors can withdraw their manuscripts from the publication process. This policy usually covers both the pre-acceptance and post-acceptance stages of a manuscript's lifecycle. Here’s a general overview of what such a policy might include:

1. Pre-Acceptance Withdrawal:

   • Authors' Request: Authors can typically withdraw their manuscript at any stage before acceptance without significant consequences. They are usually required to submit a formal withdrawal request in writing, explaining the reasons for the decision.
   • Editorial Consent: Withdrawal requests are generally subject to approval by the editor. The process is often straightforward if the manuscript has not yet been sent for review or if reviews are not complete.

2. Post-Acceptance Withdrawal:

   • Consequences: Withdrawing a manuscript after acceptance is generally more complex and can have serious consequences. Some journals may impose penalties or fees, particularly if the manuscript has already been included in production schedules.
   • Legitimate Reasons: Valid reasons for post-acceptance withdrawal might include discovery of errors, ethical concerns, or accidental duplicate submission.

3. Notification and Documentation:

   • Communication: Withdrawal requests must be communicated formally and clearly, usually via email or the journal's submission system.
   • Documentation: Authors may need to provide documentation or detailed explanations supporting the withdrawal request, especially if ethical issues are involved.

4. Record Keeping:

   • Transparency: If a paper is withdrawn after it has been published online (e.g., as an "Online First" article), the journal typically leaves a note or publishes a statement indicating that the paper was withdrawn by the authors' request, often without detailing the specific reasons unless related to an error or ethical issue.

5. Ethical Considerations:

   • Misconduct: If withdrawal is related to ethical misconduct such as plagiarism or falsification of data, the journal's response would be more severe, potentially involving retraction of the paper and notification of the authors' institutions.