Don’t let the implacable few determine what you study

Simon Wessely has been attacked for his work on chronic fatigue syndrome. But the rewards have outweighed the costs, he says.

Since my first publication, back in 1988, on chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME, I and many of my colleagues have been subjected to relentless attacks on our science, conduct and integrity.

These have ranged from claims of scientific misconduct, abuse of patients, corruption, theft, conspiracy and much else that would have kept numerous libel lawyers busy, had we been so inclined. Many of us have experienced veiled, and sometimes not so veiled, threats, and a few have had to resort to security procedures.