Political Lancet

Abstract

The publication by The Lancet of a Case Report1Froidevaux P Baechler S Bailat CJ et al.Improving forensic investigation for polonium poisoning.Lancet. 2013; 382: 1308Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar on the possible poisoning of Yasser Arafat by polonium was an irresponsible act, which could lead to loss of innocent life.Although the reporting of scientific facts regarding Arafat's belongings might be of interest to radiation scientists, it is difficult to understand how this has any medical bearing, and how it could be of interest to clinicians. There is as yet no formal evidence in the public arena of results of samples directly from Arafat's body. The provenance of the samples from his belongings, provided by his wife, is questionable.As the authors note in their report,1Froidevaux P Baechler S Bailat CJ et al.Improving forensic investigation for polonium poisoning.Lancet. 2013; 382: 1308Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar the absence of myelosuppression and hair loss do not favour acute radiation syndrome, and the other symptoms suffered by Arafat, including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhoea, and anorexia, followed by multiple organ failure are non-specific. To suggest that these symptoms were caused by polonium poisoning is pure speculation in the absence of hard forensic evidence.Unfortunately, articles such as this report, which raise the spectre of the possible political assassination of an emotive figure, might lead to severe consequences.The Lancet has a moral duty to report important medical facts, and it should heed the important principle of “first do no harm”.I declare that I have no conflicts of interest. The publication by The Lancet of a Case Report1Froidevaux P Baechler S Bailat CJ et al.Improving forensic investigation for polonium poisoning.Lancet. 2013; 382: 1308Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar on the possible poisoning of Yasser Arafat by polonium was an irresponsible act, which could lead to loss of innocent life. Although the reporting of scientific facts regarding Arafat's belongings might be of interest to radiation scientists, it is difficult to understand how this has any medical bearing, and how it could be of interest to clinicians. There is as yet no formal evidence in the public arena of results of samples directly from Arafat's body. The provenance of the samples from his belongings, provided by his wife, is questionable. As the authors note in their report,1Froidevaux P Baechler S Bailat CJ et al.Improving forensic investigation for polonium poisoning.Lancet. 2013; 382: 1308Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar the absence of myelosuppression and hair loss do not favour acute radiation syndrome, and the other symptoms suffered by Arafat, including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhoea, and anorexia, followed by multiple organ failure are non-specific. To suggest that these symptoms were caused by polonium poisoning is pure speculation in the absence of hard forensic evidence. Unfortunately, articles such as this report, which raise the spectre of the possible political assassination of an emotive figure, might lead to severe consequences. The Lancet has a moral duty to report important medical facts, and it should heed the important principle of “first do no harm”. I declare that I have no conflicts of interest. Improving forensic investigation for polonium poisoningAt the time of publication, the remains of Yasser Arafat have been exhumed and are being investigated for cause of death as a result of the findings of the case reported here. Full-Text PDF Offline: Celebrating progress in Palestinian health researchFor several years, Derek Summerfield, a psychiatrist and expert in torture and war-related violence, encouraged us to write about the predicaments of the Palestinian people. We said no. The occupied Palestinian territory seemed too difficult a subject to cover from a position of complete ignorance. Derek proposed a meeting with the public health scientist, Rita Giacaman. I can't easily put into words the impact this meeting had on me. Rita, who cofounded the Institute of Community and Public Health at Birzeit University, introduced The Lancet to Palestinian health, culture, and history. Full-Text PDF