Humane reasons behind brain surgery ban
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-11-08 08:12

The Ministry of Health reiterated its ban on using brain surgery to help rehabilitate drug users last week.

Ministry officials said studies on the side-effects of the surgery are still underway so it is too early to put it into commercial practice.

The ministry stated its position on the issue several times last week, showing its determination to curb trends to commercialize the surgery.

By irritating the cranial nerve relevant to drug addiction, the surgery is believed to be able to "cure" drug users' obsession with drugs.

Before the ministry announced the ban, the discussion about the pros and cons only took place within a small circle of top specialists in brain surgery and medical ethics.

Now that the common people have got to know about the treatment, their opinions are no less divided than the experts'.

Supporters say the surgery prevents drug addiction, debt and crime associated with drug use and trafficking would therefore be reined in.

But I am with the opponents, for the much-touted benefits are not strong enough to write off the possible harms listed by the experts.

Li Yongjie, a well-known doctor in neurosurgery, pointed out there had been examples that some drug users who had undergone such surgery had become indifferent to others or had less sexual desire afterwards.

Some have suffered personality disorders. There may be other, longer-term effects that emerge later and can only be determined by long-term observation.

Most of such treatment was carried out after 2003, so we have only had two years to watch the effects.

The Health Ministry also said the treatment was only allowed for scientific study but banned for clinical practice as it considers the surgery has not become a mature technology suitable for wide clinical application.

Drug addiction can have such a devastating impact on addicts and families that some are willing to pay any price to rid themselves of the evil, and that is why the surgery has gained so much popularity so quickly.

But people willing to undergo surgery cannot possibly have a complete idea about the potential risks, on which even experts have not reached a consensus.

There are other downsides. Already the surgery has been manipulated by people intending to make profit from it.

It is therefore the responsibility of the authorities to remind the public of the side- effects and possible dangers, in medical terms and in medical ethics terms.

Drug-users are living flesh and blood. They have their own rights and dignity that should be taken good care of. Drug abuse may be against our traditional values, but nobody should deny drug addicts the help they need to get over their addiction and the right to enjoy life. If they are deprived of such rights because of the method of their rehabilitation, the question is whether such rehabilitation is moral.

The Health Ministry has done a proper job in issuing the ban in time, which, despite its harsh words, has a great sense of humanity.

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