Scientists engaging positively with non-specialists...

[Simon]

A recent comment article in Nature (probably paywalled, unfortunately) by climate scientist Chris Rapley made some points that struck me as relevant to the issue of how CFS researchers and patients interact.

First, I loved this quote, which is so true of anyone I disagree with:

As the economist J. K. Galbraith observed, "faced with the choice of changing one's mind and with proving there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof."

Second, he made some interesting suggestions on how scientists should behave following the 'Climategate' scandal that might profitably be applied to how CFS (or any other) scientists behave:

I propose that, as a public statement of our ideals, climate scientists should agree and commit to principles of professional conduct — possibly through an equivalent of the medical profession's Hippocratic oath. These principles would cover standards of work, issues of impartiality, transparency of process or accessibility of data, and a willingness to engage positively with non-specialists... Weaknesses in the peer-review process — concerning conflicts of interest and the degree and effectiveness of critical challenge — need to be addressed jointly by scientists and journal editors, and the solutions made transparent and public.

note that I simply think these ideas are relevant to CFS, I'm not trying to draw any parallel between the state of science re climate change and CFS.