Chris Newell's post seems to suggest that anyone whose research findings contradict the RCOG's position must be "idealogically driven". In fact, Dr.Anand is an Indian-born Sikh with no known affiliation to any religious or anti-abortion group. He is an independent researcher and scientist with no agenda to promote. He makes this abundantly clear in his submission to the US house of representatives.What is quite obvious however, is that the same cannot be said of the RCOG.

Dr. Lakshmi Raina, Cambridge, UK

I am one of the authors of the letter above. KJS Anand is Professor of Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Neurobiology at the University of Arkansas.

We therefore called him Professor. The RCOG called him Dr (as you will see from the letter this is a quote from the RCOG website) and you will have to ask the RCOG why they chose this title.

You might like to look at the following:

http://www.uams.edu/neuroscience_cellbiology/faculty/details.asp?id=61
http://www.uams.edu/info/Updates/October01/anand.htm
http://www.uams.edu/pediatrics/faculty/Critical%20Care/Anand,%20Sunny.asp

Peter Saunders, London,

Yes, do please read the article referred to by David Boothroyd where you will now find responses from Professor Anand and Peter Saunders.

David Boothroyd:

The reference to Dr Anand is clearly within a quote from the RCOG. In fact he is Professor of Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences.

Chris Newell:

I daresay Wilberforce was an ideologically driven dissenter, too. Consensus has value only where based both on truth and common decency.

Ad hominem arguments are no substitute for substantive, constructive debate.

Your point re the CMF membership is just silly. It looks to me like each one has declared their most relevant association. Have you?

Pauline Gately, Surrey,

A few ideologically driven dissenters does not mean "there is no consensus".

It is telling that Robert Balfour, Alex Bunn Nigel Simpson and Trevor Stammers fail to acknowledge their membership of the Christian Medical Fellowship. Trevor Stammers is CMF Chairman.

Chris Newell, Surrey,

I note that 'Professor Anand' suddenly turns into only 'Dr Anand' half-way through the second paragraph. In fact, is he really a "world authority", or is he Dr K J Anand of the Department of Paediatrics, University of Arkansas Medical School? Because this Dr Anand is the author of one published paper on prenatal pain.

You might want to read http://www.ministryoftruth.org.uk/2007/10/25/dr-anands-casebook/.

David Boothroyd, London, UK