For the record: Heather Kowalski, a publicist for the J. Craig Venter institute and fiancée of its namesake has responded to some of my queries in the past seven years (I mistakenly said she hadn't in this post).
I also said in this post that she had been defensive because of her relationship with Venter. She corrected that assertion and a few other things in an email:
I realize reporters hate being told they've made a mistake in a story or blog post but you really seem to be going out of your way to shirk this one by first claiming that I never respond to you (you probably didn't realize this but I have access to my emails from 2002-2004 which was my tenure with the venter institute before I left and there are quite a few very cordial and professional emails where I put u in touch with researchers at the institute). Also, my personal life has no baring on doing my job which is to ensure fair and accurate reporting by you and others who have long been covering this field. That's not being defensive rather it's called doing my job. Finally for the record, I'm 40 and will actually be 41 this December but thanks for the great complement. I must have a young face.
My regrets for any inaccuracies and congratulations to the happy couple!
