title: Collision or convergence?: beliefs and politics in neuroscience discovery, ethics, and intervention.
abstract: Discovery and interventions for neurological disorders have a unique capacity to galvanize public opinion over issues of access, human rights, decision making, and the definition of disease. Here we highlight five cases where beliefs and politics prevailed over evidence and ethics. We examine lessons from them about the communication of risk and the power of public influence on science, society, and policy.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 2222 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Paylor
authors.affiliation: National Core for Neuroethics, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver BC, V6T 2B5, Canada.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Longstaff
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 2222 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: National Core for Neuroethics, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia Hospital, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver BC, V6T 2B5, Canada. Electronic address: jilles@mail.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Illes
mesh_terms: D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003469:Culture; D003657:Decision Making; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009488:Neurosciences / Q000941:ethics*; D011057:Politics
keywords: Gulf War syndrome; MMR vaccine; Stamina Foundation; Terri Schiavo; autism; chronic cerebrospinal vascular insufficiency (CCSVI); health policy; multiple sclerosis; neurological disease; public opinion