Should surgeons be told what research they can do?

Excerpt

This incisive editorial by Dr. Satava and Dr. Cuschieri’s thoughtful commentary highlight a critical question concerning medical, and indeed societal, progress. Dr. Satava warns that some promising research from a nucleus of renowned academic centers is being jeopardized by religiously and politically motivated naysayers who have moral or ethical concerns about the research. He further implies that congressional scrutiny of the research, stemming from concerns raised by such constituents, may be intrusive, scientifically limiting, and ultimately, inappropriate. In his commentary, Dr. Cuschieri highlights the means by which the issues of governmental control and ethical evaluation have been addressed in the current British system. He advances the premise that governmental regulation of taxpayers’ resources (including research funds) is a necessity in a democracy, but maintains that such regulation needs to be based on sound, independent, and expert advice. In the examples he cites, this has been accomplished in the Great Britain via expert consortia and legislatively established governing authority, allowing for a balance between scientific freedom and societal accountability. …