regardless of the provocation, can be expressed in strong terms
without using threats or being less than civil. It is unfortunate that
the bad judgement of a few has diverted coverage away from the need
for more research funding as well as bolstering the notion that all
ME/CFS patients are mentally ill. Just as unfortunate has been the
lack of balanced coverage by the media.
In support of XMRV researchers
Posted on September 2nd, 2011 by PLoS ONE Editors
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a mysterious condition. Its cause,
diagnosis, even its name have long been sources of controversy, and it
appears that this controversy has recently reached new heights, with
some individuals issuing a series of threats to a subset of
researchers in the field, as reported in a recent article in the
Observer.
This particular episode of the conflict involves a paper published in
PLoS ONE in Jan. 2010, so we feel at this point it is appropriate for
us to comment and express our disapproval of this behavior.
The PLoS ONE study was the first response to an Oct. 2009 article in
the journal Science that reported a correlation between CFS and a
virus called XMRV. Contrary to the original finding, the PLoS ONE
paper reported no evidence of XMRV in CFS patients, and a number of
similar studies followed on its heels (see examples here and here),
prompting Science to issue an expression of concern.
These later reports generated a very negative response from some
individuals at the time of publication =96 a number of comments on the
PLoS ONE paper had to be removed from the website because of
inappropriate content =96 and it appears that the situation has not
improved. According to the Observer article, =93the militants are now
considered to be as dangerous and uncompromising as animal rights
extremists.=94 The article goes on to describe various instances of
physical and verbal abuses, including daily death threats addressed to
the lead author of the PLoS ONE paper, Professor Myra McClure.
As the debate about CFS continues, we at PLoS would like to take the
opportunity to express support for our authors and for their right,
and of course everyone else=92s right, to enjoy the freedom to debate
and investigate scientific topics openly, constructively, and without
fear. This situation has emphasized, to us, the importance of
civilized discourse in these matters. Those who threaten researchers=92
safety above all do themselves a major disservice by dissuading other
researchers from entering the field, chasing away the very people who
may be able to help them. It is bad both for science and for patients,
and should absolutely not be tolerated.
http://blogs.plos.org/everyone/2011/09/02/in-support-of-xmrv-researchers/
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