Upset and disappointed

Back in November I took part in a recording for a BBC Radio programme about CCSVI. It was never broadcast. I was annoyed, but ce la vie. I felt it was a shame because there were some doctors interviewed to give a balanced and scientific basis to both sides of the argument.

Today I find out why. On the BBC News website is an announcement of a forthcoming programme about CCSVI labelled Concerns about Controversial MS Treatment. 

It is obviously not intended to be balanced, as is clear from the language used. Doctors "not licenced to practice medicine", another " reported to the doctors' watchdog, the General Medical Council".

Stents are described as little metal tubes and any improvements are "apparent" or "placebo". An "undercover reporter" is scanned and is diagnosed with CCSVI. This is intended to discredit, but shows lack of reasearch by the programme's staff, as nowhere is it claimed that CCSVI is only  found in MS patients, rather that it is found at a signifiantly higher percentage than in the rest of the population.


Meanwhile Biogen report 10 more cases of PML and four more deaths from the approved drug Tysabri, between January 7th and February 2nd.

I had hoped for better from the BBC. This is tabloid journalism, poorly researched and out for a juicy headline.