Microsoft’s Excel has been blamed for errors in academic papers on genomics.  Researchers trying to raise awareness of the issue claim that the spreadsheet software automatically converts the names of certain genes into dates.  Gene symbols like SEPT2 (Septin 2) were found to be altered to “September 2”.

Source: BBC Technology News

Date: September 1st, 2016

Link: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37176926

Discussion

1) Is it correct to blame auto-correct errors on the technology, or the person using the technology?

2) “What frustrates me is researchers are relying on Excel spreadsheets for clinical trials.”  Is this a fair comment?