In recent years, large language models (LLMs) with billions of parameters have become increasingly adept at generating text. These models are also beginning to have an important influence as tools for computational biology. With the emergence of freely available text generation tools, the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) has decided to create an acceptable use policy for these models. Application of the ISCB Acceptable Use of Large Language Models Policy is intended for all scientific research submissions to ISCB Conferences, as well as research submissions to the ISCB/OUP Bioinformatic Advances and OUP Bioinformatics journals.
The development of these models is changing rapidly, and it is not easy to foresee how these models may be adopted. Therefore, it is likely that these guidelines will be subject to change in the future.
Common Acceptable Uses:
- As an aid to correct written text (spell checkers, grammar checkers)
- As an aid to language translation, however, the researcher is responsible for the accuracy of the final text
- As an algorithmic technique for research study
- As an evaluation technique (to assist in finding inconsistencies or other anomalies)
- It is permissible to include LLM generated text snippets as examples in research papers where appropriate, but these MUST be clearly labeled, and their use explained.
- Assist in code writing, however, the researcher is responsible for the correct code
- Create documentation for code, however, the researcher is responsible for the correct documentation
Any acceptable use of LLMs or related technologies to produce, or help to produce, part of the text, figures or other contents of the paper should be explicitly declared and documented with sufficient details in the supplementary materials.
Common Unacceptable Uses:
- It is not acceptable to use LLMs or related technologies to draft papers (including but not limited to text, figures, tables, and references) from a prompt text. In essence, papers MUST be written by researchers.
- LLMs cannot be listed as authors as they would not fulfill the requirements of authorship as laid out in the ICMJE guidelines.
If your usage of LLMs is not covered by any of these use cases, then please contact the Editor of the journal or Chair of the Conference for guidance.
At present, we do not intend to systematically detect usage of these models, but we will investigate reported instances on a case-by-case basis.
ISCB strongly encourages its affiliated groups and affiliated conferences to apply the Policy to scientific research submissions for their individual conferences and journals.
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We encourage you to monitor this page to stay abreast of the latest updates on health and safety protocols for ISCB conferences. ISCB reserves the right to alter these protocols as appropriate at any time.
The safety of conference participants is ISCB’s top priority. Participants should be aware that, while ISCB will make every effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission on-site, it is possible that attendees will come in contact with people in airports, hotels, or around the conference facility who could potentially carry the virus, which is why ISCB is recommending attendees for their own safety, as well as the safety of others follow World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.
Entry into the host nation may require measures beyond those that are stated by ISCB to gain access to the country. As ISCB is required to abide by those entry requirements, please be sure to consult the country's official website.
Participants of ISCB Conferences understand that it is their responsibility to review and ensure compliance with any stated country guidelines both for coming into the country and departing the country to return to their country of origin. Costs associated with travel are the responsibility of the participant.
For the purposes of right of entry ISCB Conferences, ISCB follows the recommendations of the World Health Organization to take all COVID-19 vaccine doses recommended to you by your health authority as soon as it is your turn, including a booster dose if recommended.
For those unable to travel or meet the vaccination requirement, ISCB offers several virtual meeting registration options.
ISCB believes the most effective way for participants to maximize their own safety is for them to be vaccinated and boosted if eligible and able against COVID-19.
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How will vaccinations be verified?
Participants electing to attend in-person will be asked to self-attest during the registration process confirming they meet the entry requirements.
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Will ISCB require proof of a negative COVID test upon arrival?
While ISCB will not require proof of a negative COVID test prior to arrival onsite, it strongly encourages all in-person participants to test for infection prior to departing for the conference. As testing completion times vary world-wide, our suggested test period is no more than 48 hours before departing from your home.
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On-Site Safety Measures
Public health guidance on preventing the transmission of COVID-19 continues to evolve, and ISCB will base its on-site protocols on the latest guidance.
We encourage attendees to bring their own test kits and test prior to attending the meeting and every day or two during the meeting to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. We can assist attendees who have no access to tests. ISCB will provide the locations of local retail stores where tests can be purchased and will have a limited number of tests at the convention center for purchase by attendees.
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Sanitization
Even though the science now shows that COVID-19 transmission is less likely to occur from touching surfaces touched by multiple persons (i.e., lecterns), staff will clean these regularly to promote healthy sanitation overall. The convention center will also have sanitization stations throughout the venue.
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Protective Masks
The wearing of protective masks is not required, but they are strongly encouraged. ISCB reserves the right to alter this protocol as appropriate at any time. Participants are welcome to bring their own mask of choice and wear it if they wish. ISCB will have a limited supply of masks available onsite for those who wish to wear a mask.
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Symptom Development While Onsite
On-site participants must agree that if they become symptomatic, they will immediately cease in-person participation in the meeting and all related events and get tested for COVID-19. Individuals who test positive will not be permitted to continue attending the meeting in-person until a negative test is produced. Even with a negative test, those who are ill should not participate in the meeting in person.
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COVID-19 Testing
ISCB will not have a testing facility onsite at the conference location. ISCB will have self-administered rapid antigen tests (supply limited) available at the registration desk for those who wish to test during the conference and are unable to obtain tests. If you are onsite and experiencing symptoms, please contact ISCB (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.); we will bring a test to your hotel.
ISCB strongly encourages participants to bring their own testing kits if they wish to test throughout the conference.
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What happens if I test positive onsite?
Participants who test positive for COVID-19 onsite must follow the COVID-19 rules of the country the conference is held in. They will not be allowed to attend sessions in-person until a negative test can be produced, but they will still have access to the virtual platform.
Information on individuals who test positive, including the name of the individual testing positive and the session in which the individual participated, will be provided to staff overseeing the COVID-19 testing and response efforts. This will enable staff to follow up with these individuals to provide information on policies for isolating while on site, facilitate safe and comfortable quarantine arrangements, and provide information on local health care options as needed. While aggregate information about the number of positive cases will be made available to other attendees, the identity of individuals who test positive will be kept confidential.
Unfortunately, a formal contact tracing system is not available. ISCB will, however, make aggregate data available to attendees via the conference app about the number of positive cases reported at the meeting so they can make informed decisions about their participation.
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COVAC GLOBAL
While ISCB is taking numerous precautions to alleviate the risk to meeting attendees, the possibility of testing positive during the meeting, and therefore possibly needing to quarantine in place per the guidelines of the country the conference is held in, may factor into individual decisions about attending the conference. To help address these concerns, ISCB recommends COVAC GLOBAL, a leading provider of medical evacuation services, to offer in-person attendees the option to purchase its COVID-19 Evacuation and Repatriation service. For those who purchase this service in advance, COVAC GLOBAL will arrange for medical transport – via private jet – back to your home to complete your quarantine at no additional expense, should you be diagnosed with COVID-19 while at the conference.
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Conference Refund Policy
ISCB understands the continued volatility of the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis. In the event a registered participant cannot travel due to a positive test result prior to departing for the conference, ISCB will partially refund the participant’s registration fee reducing it to the virtual registration fee which allows the participant access to the virtual platform. Participants who are unable to participate in the conference virtually may request a full refund. Full refund requests must be made prior to the start of the conference and be accompanied by positive COVID-19 testing documentation. ISCB will not accept refund requests after the set conference start time.
The above cancellation policy is specifically related to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis. For details on conference cancellation, visit the conference's registration page
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ISCB COVID-19 Waiver
Upon registration to the conference, ISCB will require all in-person participants to sign the following waiver:
I understand that travel and gathering involves risk of sickness, including sickness from COVID-19. I (and on behalf of my guest(s)) waive and release ISCB and its sponsors and exhibitors, and their employees and agents, from and against claims, liabilities and expenses arising from injury, sickness or death from contraction or spread of COVID-19 or other communicable disease due to travel to or attendance at an event sponsored by ISCB.
I will take necessary precautions while at the event including, but not limited to, engaging in appropriate social distancing, wearing a mask when requested and/or required, frequently washing hands and avoiding risky environments such as overcrowded bars or restaurants. I agree to not attend any ISMB/ECCB event if I feel ill or had recent exposure to a COVID-19 case. This waiver and release is binding on me.
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The International Society for Computational Biology, Inc. (ISCB) respects, and is committed to protecting, the privacy of its members and readers. This Privacy Statement describes the policy and practice for use of information collected online from the ISCB website (iscb.org), its affiliated websites, and all order forms and member services accessible from those sites. These sites may link to other websites over which, ISCB has no control and, therefore, is not responsible. Your use of ISCB websites constitutes your acceptance of this Privacy Statement. If you do not agree with all the terms in this Privacy Statement, you should not use ISCB websites or services.
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This Privacy Statement Describes
- The types of information ISCB collects from members, subscribers, and readers and how this information is used
- With whom ISCB shares the information it collects
- Steps that ISCB takes to protect the privacy of the information it collects
- Choices the user may make about the information he or she provides
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Types and Use of Information Collected
- Personal Information
ISCB collects only information supplied by the user. On certain web pages, ISCB asks the user to enter personal information such as name, address, email address, telephone number, fax number, credit card number, and other information from which the user's identity is discernible. Examples include:
- Membership renewal information
- ISCB official conferences registration
- ISCB donation and annual giving pages
- Sponsorship and exhibiting forms
- ISCB Career Center
- When users contact ISCB by phone or email
ISCB uses credit card information only to process a payment.
Personal data collected by ISCB is: (a) processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject; (b) collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes; (c) adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which data are processed; (d) accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step is taken to ensure that personal data that are inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they are processed, are erased or rectified without delay; (e) kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed or for which is provided consent by the user; personal data stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes are safeguarded; (f) processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorized or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organizational measures.
- Non-Personal Information
ISCB also collects non-personal information such as:
- Cookies. These are pieces of data placed on the user's hard drive for a variety of reasons, including authentication (for example, to track individual website views). Cookies are collected by third party vendors with whom ISCB contracts for services. Users may set browsers to alert them to the use of cookies and may reject the use of the cookie, but rejection may prevent the website from functioning properly.
- IP addresses.
- Web-beacons. These are objects embedded into a webpage or email, which allow ISCB to confirm that the user has viewed the webpage or the email.
- Referring website addresses.
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Sharing of Information
ISCB does not sell or otherwise disclose the information it collects to third parties, except as follows:
- If required to do so by law, or if requested/subpoenaed by law enforcement agencies.
- Information may be disclosed to consultants for internal business purposes.
- ISCB may sell its mailing list to parties who provide products or services of interest the community. Members who do not wish to have their information shared may opt-out of mailing in their member profiles.
ISCB reserves the right to transfer information in the event that another entity acquires portions of the activities conducted by ISCB. Should this occur, all reasonable efforts will be made to ensure the new entity follows a similar Privacy Policy to ISCB.
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Steps ISCB Takes to Protect the Privacy of Information it Collects
ISCB implements reasonable technical and administrative practices to safeguard the information it collects. For example, ISCB server's are firewalled to help protect a breach of data. ISCB employees are trained on appropriate use of information and the need for confidentiality. In addition, credit card payments submitted online on web pages are secured by the appropriate software and verified by Authorize.net. Credit card numbers submitted online are not stored by ISCB.
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Your Choices
- If you would like to update your member contact information and preferences, you can do so at MyISCB
- If you do not wish to have your mailing address shared with third parties, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- To unsubscribe from email alerts from ISCB, click unsubscribe at the bottom of the email.
- Request a copy of what is being stored by ISCB. Request processing times will apply.
- Your use of ISCB websites constitutes your acceptance of this Privacy Statement. If you do not agree with all the terms in this Privacy Statement, you should not use ISCB websites or services.
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Changes to this Privacy Statement
ISCB reserves the right to make changes to this Privacy Statement at any time. These changes will be indicated by a change to the "Last Updated" date on the page. Your continued use of the sites after any change indicates your agreement with the altered Privacy Statement.
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Children's Policy
ISCB does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 18. If ISCB learns that it has personally identifiable information about a child under the age of 18, this information will be deleted. If you are under the age of 18 and wish to register to obtain further information or be included in a survey, your parent or legal guardian must register for you.
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