Letter from UK Attorney to Dr. Gerald Lucey, Editor-in-Chief, PEDIATRICS
Dear Dr. Lucey While Fred Baughman might be inclined to use language which might be alarming to those editing scientific journals (as indeed it is to those of us in the legal profession) he has a very valid question which is still unanswered "Is ADHD a bona fide disease with a confirming, objective, demonstrable/diagnosable, physical/chemical abnormality?" I agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Baughman that if this is not the case then the wholesale dispensing of Ritalin is being carried out with a total disregard of medical ethics. Are the doctrines of beneficence and autonomy suspended where the perceived "symptoms of disease" manifest themselves in behavior rather than in physiological characteristics? It may in fact be the case that this powerful and addictive stimulant suppresses the symptoms of this " condition" but is also true that powerful sedatives would achieve that objective. I would like to add another question to Dr. Baughman's Is there any evidence that this treatment is efficacious, in that it improves the quality of life of those who receive it? Because I have spent many years in the legal arena I am less inclined to use the kind of emotive language that Dr. Baughman uses. If I were advising him I might suggest he tone it down. I must say however that because his views are not expressed in the dry as dirt terminology of the medical and scientific journals it does not mean that they are wrong or even polemic incoherent, verbose, wandering letters full of unfounded libelous accusations. Dr Baughman has over the period I have been corresponding with him made numerous attempts to have serious scientific questions answered. I have observed him questioning the champions of the disease theory of behavioral disorders and I have yet to see a coherent answer. Is that the way scientific problems are solved? On this subject I have read more articles in medical peer journals and in their social science equivalent than I am comfortable with. Not one of them has convinced me that there is any real science to support this "epidemic" of ADHD. There was a time when science required its conclusions to be backed up by a standard of proof similar to that in the criminal law. Speculation now it seems will do. Barry Turner Lecturer in Forensic Science, Medical Ethics and Law University of Lincoln United Kingdom