Martin 53N 1W <ml_news@ddnospamddml1dd.co.uk.dd> wrote in message news:<cst_c.925$352.63@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net>...

...snip...

If s@h were not open, they simply would not get funded or otherwise 
supported. They are required to back up their work and findings with 
peer reviewed scientific papers. They are still active so presumably 
they continue to pass the peer review tests and criticisms.

I believe your presumption may be incorrect.  SFAIK, there are no
"SETI" scientific papers from SETI@home that have been published. 
There was a Hydrogen Survey paper awhile back that was a spin-off
science benefit from SETI@home, but I don't think there are any "SETI"
papers from the Berkeley team.  If somebody is aware of one, please
post about it here; I'm dying to read it.

Regards, Jason H.