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European Hair Research Society Rejects Gho
Application
July 5, 2001 - Tokyo Japan
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A Picture of Gho?
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Many of you remember from our last
newsletter the exciting conference in Tokyo Japan where
over 170 studies completed within the past year were
presented. [ Tokyo
Conference 2001 ] Researchers from all over the
world gather at conferences like these to share their new
technologies, discoveries, and to give their colleagues
new information for the common good of worldwide research.
As
we all know, information exchange is the key to progress, and its a
tradition among all researchers to communicate their findings in an
effort to attain a common goal. |
The European Hair Research Society is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting research of hair biology and hair disease in Europe.
They have an international membership of scientists, dermatologists, and professionals working in academia, industry, and government. The
EHRS represents its members by promoting the pursuit of excellence and the dissemination of information regarding hair biology and encourages the scientific careers of young investigators.
They serve as advocates and provide resources for increasing public and government awareness of the needs for, and advances resulting from, hair research.
[ www.EHRS.org
] Most importantly, they
support and organize meetings dedicated to the presentation of new research findings, exchange of information, education of
their members, and the advancement of science.
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Gho
Application Reviewed
One of the events at the Tokyo
conference last month was to review the applications received over the
past year for membership into the EHRS. The requirements
for acceptance are typically not
stringent, and within reason, it is commonplace that most
applicants are accepted. In fact, there hasn't been a
rejected application in quite some time, if ever.
Throughout the year, those who
wish to join the EHRS send their application to the acting
"secretary" via the EHRS web site. The secretary makes up a list which is
presented first to the EHRS Board and then to its members at the
yearly gathering. Dr. Ulrike Blume-Peytavi from Berlin (then
secretary, now President) received the applications this year and
presented them at the conference. Dr. Rudi Happle (then
President), Michael Philpott (Treasurer), Andrew Messenger and
Ramon Grimalt drew the list of applicants and read them out at
the General Meeting. As the board members made their way
through the list, they encountered an application from a Dr.
Gho. |
The application had been sent
directly from the form on the EHRS web site. There was no
other contact or direct correspondence between Gho and anyone at the
EHRS. Ulrike read the
list and immediately asked if anyone had heard of this Dr. Gho.
None of the well known researchers on the board had heard of him,
and consequently the name stood out. All the other applicants
on the list were known to
those in the industry in some fashion, or at the very least, the
names were familiar from labs the members had worked in.
One member from Belgium commented
that he recognized the name, as one of his patients had inquired
about a Dr. Gho in the past, but the only other person
vaguely familiar with Gho was Kevin McElwee of Keratin.com, also an EHRS
member. Other than this, nobody present had had any contact
with Dr. Gho whatsoever. The fellow from Belgium briefly
explained that he was apparently involved with a private transplant
clinic doing Dermal Papilla cell research, which could mean anything
from looking at Gene Expression in Dermal Papilla cells, to hair
follicle induction by Dermal Papilla cells. Point being,
nobody knew who he was nor what he did, and no information had been
divulged in the application either.
Those attending the review began to
voice some concern regarding Gho. Some pointed out
the fact that he had never attended a conference, had never
published any articles, had no contact with any other
member, and that he and his work were completely unknown to the
research community as a whole.
As previously mentioned, it is not
only one of the aims of the EHRS to share information, but it is
common practice in the medical and health research community as a
whole that new technologies and methods be shared amongst peers for
the overall good of the people they are trying to help.
Participation in conferences, published items in medical journals,
and basic networking with others seeking to help those suffering
from hair loss is at the very root of establishing credibility for
each researchers practices.
The general consensus at the meeting, was that someone who not only
had never been heard of, but who seemed to have actively avoided all
interaction with peers and colleagues, was unlikely to be a
contributor to the aims of the society in the future. Others
even expressed concern that in light of the complete absence of even
basic credibility, Gho may just be attempting to exploit a
membership with the EHRS for his own gain, to promote his own
work.
The Conclusion
The board suggested that as no one
knew him or his work, and that he had never been to a meeting, that
they could not accept him. A vote was taken, and Dr. Gho's
name was rejected.
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