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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Journal retracts study linking a virus to ME | Journal retracts study linking a virus to ME |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A study linking a virus to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as ME, has been withdrawn by the journal which published it. | A study linking a virus to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as ME, has been withdrawn by the journal which published it. |
| The 2009 study, in Science, suggested a mouse virus, XMRV, was linked to the illness. | The 2009 study, in Science, suggested a mouse virus, XMRV, was linked to the illness. |
| But in September this year, the study's authors withdrew some of their findings, saying they were based on "contaminated data". | But in September this year, the study's authors withdrew some of their findings, saying they were based on "contaminated data". |
| The journal said it had "lost confidence" in the study. | The journal said it had "lost confidence" in the study. |
| In a statement, editor-in-chief Bruce Alberts, said the journal had decided to fully retract the paper because of "poor quality control" - and because the findings had not been replicated. | |
| It had already published an editorial "expression of concern" in September, saying that the validity of the study was "seriously in question". | It had already published an editorial "expression of concern" in September, saying that the validity of the study was "seriously in question". |
| 'Too good to be true' | 'Too good to be true' |
| The initial research suggested that DNA of the XMRV virus had been found in 64% of CFS patients and just 4% of the general population. | The initial research suggested that DNA of the XMRV virus had been found in 64% of CFS patients and just 4% of the general population. |
| But other scientists had been unable to find evidence of the virus and many argued that the most likely explanation was contamination of the laboratory samples. | But other scientists had been unable to find evidence of the virus and many argued that the most likely explanation was contamination of the laboratory samples. |
| A study also published in Science in September claimed the virus could not be reliably detected in ME patients, even in the labs which originally made the link. | A study also published in Science in September claimed the virus could not be reliably detected in ME patients, even in the labs which originally made the link. |
| The journal says there is evidence of poor quality control in a number of specific experiments reported in the paper, and raises specific concerns about some CFS samples being treated differently to others. | The journal says there is evidence of poor quality control in a number of specific experiments reported in the paper, and raises specific concerns about some CFS samples being treated differently to others. |
| Mr Alberts wrote: "Given all the issues, Science has lost confidence in the report and the validity of its conclusions. | Mr Alberts wrote: "Given all the issues, Science has lost confidence in the report and the validity of its conclusions. |
| "We note that the majority of the authors have agreed in principle to retract the report but they have been unable to agree on the wording of their statement. | "We note that the majority of the authors have agreed in principle to retract the report but they have been unable to agree on the wording of their statement. |
| "It is Science's opinion that a retraction signed by all the authors is unlikely to be forthcoming. | "It is Science's opinion that a retraction signed by all the authors is unlikely to be forthcoming. |
| "We are therefore editorially retracting the report. | "We are therefore editorially retracting the report. |
| "We regret the time and resources that the scientific community has devoted to unsuccessful attempts to replicate these results." | "We regret the time and resources that the scientific community has devoted to unsuccessful attempts to replicate these results." |
| Experts said they were not surprised that the paper had been retracted. | Experts said they were not surprised that the paper had been retracted. |
| Prof Simon Wessely, of the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London said: "The results were simply too good to be true. | Prof Simon Wessely, of the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London said: "The results were simply too good to be true. |
| "CFS is a complex mulfactorial condition with fuzzy boundaries, and almost certainly does not represent any single entity any more that it is caused by any single agent." | "CFS is a complex mulfactorial condition with fuzzy boundaries, and almost certainly does not represent any single entity any more that it is caused by any single agent." |
| But he added: "What is sad however is the degree of opprobrium hurled from some quarters at the scientists who correctly failed to replicate the original observation. | But he added: "What is sad however is the degree of opprobrium hurled from some quarters at the scientists who correctly failed to replicate the original observation. |
| "This is not the kind of atmosphere that benefits science or patients." | "This is not the kind of atmosphere that benefits science or patients." |
| And Dr Charles Shepherd, medical adviser to the ME Association said, the withdrawal was "no surprise" and a "nail in the coffin" to the theory that XMRV was linked to CFS/ME. | And Dr Charles Shepherd, medical adviser to the ME Association said, the withdrawal was "no surprise" and a "nail in the coffin" to the theory that XMRV was linked to CFS/ME. |
| He added: "As far as the patient community are concerned, they have been led down a path", with this theory. | He added: "As far as the patient community are concerned, they have been led down a path", with this theory. |
| However Annette Whittemore, president of the Whittemore Peterson Institute, one of those that took part in the study said: "It is not the end of the story, rather it is the beginning of our renewed efforts. | However Annette Whittemore, president of the Whittemore Peterson Institute, one of those that took part in the study said: "It is not the end of the story, rather it is the beginning of our renewed efforts. |
| "We remain focused on the patients who have been underserved and look forward to the rigorous review of our scientific research. " | "We remain focused on the patients who have been underserved and look forward to the rigorous review of our scientific research. " |