China Syndrome Redux?
There are some odd goings on in the Chinese medical community. A group of scientists submitted a research letter to the New England Journal of Medicine arguing that a 2003 case of SARS was actually bird flu. On Wednesday, after the Journal had already decided to publish the letter, at least one of the scientists sought to retract ...
There are some odd goings on in the Chinese medical community. A group of scientists submitted a research letter to the New England Journal of Medicine arguing that a 2003 case of SARS was actually bird flu. On Wednesday, after the Journal had already decided to publish the letter, at least one of the scientists sought to retract it for reasons that are unclear. The World Health Organization is following the case closely and wants a meeting with the Chinese authorities. Readers of FP will recall that in our March/April issue, Karl Taro Greenfeld chronicled the experience of a Chinese doctor who braved official censure to tell the world about SARS in China. It's too early to know for sure, but we may have more medical whistleblowers at work.
There are some odd goings on in the Chinese medical community. A group of scientists submitted a research letter to the New England Journal of Medicine arguing that a 2003 case of SARS was actually bird flu. On Wednesday, after the Journal had already decided to publish the letter, at least one of the scientists sought to retract it for reasons that are unclear. The World Health Organization is following the case closely and wants a meeting with the Chinese authorities. Readers of FP will recall that in our March/April issue, Karl Taro Greenfeld chronicled the experience of a Chinese doctor who braved official censure to tell the world about SARS in China. It's too early to know for sure, but we may have more medical whistleblowers at work.
David Bosco is a professor at Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. He is the author of The Poseidon Project: The Struggle to Govern the World’s Oceans. Twitter: @multilateralist
More from Foreign Policy
Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.
The West’s False Choice in Ukraine
The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.
The Masterminds
Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day, written by Alexandra Sharp. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.