Ray Moynihan reports in this week's BMJ on Australian scientists describing a new condition called "motivational deficiency disorder," for cases of extreme laziness.
The researchers claim the condition affects up to one in five Australians.
Of course, there's a drug attached to this research. They're studying indolebant in phase II studies, claiming that "one young man who could not leave his sofa is now working as an investment adviser in Sydney."
The researchers work in the University of Newcastle, where another professor, David Henry, is planning a conference this month on disease-mongering.
The conference agenda just got a bit longer.
I can't wait to see the ads for this one. I'm saving my spot on the sofa to watch them.
Posted by schwitz at March 31, 2006 08:15 AM | TrackBackGary, I'm sorry, I have to ask. Is this an April Fools joke? Even though you posted it on 3/31 the actual BMJ article has an April 1 date on it.
Posted by: Marc at April 1, 2006 06:24 PMMarc,
Naturally, Motivational Deficiency Disorder (or "MoDeD" as it's known) is not real.
It has been invented by Profs Henry and Moynihan as a working case study for the Conference on Disease Mongering (www.diseasemongering.org), where it is to be presented by the fictional Prof Leth Argos. It is intended to demonstrate how illnesses can be created by pharmaceutical companies in order to sell more medications.
So yes, I'm guessing the April 1 date is pertinent.
On a side note, this is going to be an extremely important conference, starting tomorrow. I urge you all to go to the website where abstracts and the program are available.
Thank you,
LH
PS I should acknowledge now that I have a slight conflict of interest - I am a current Medical Student at the University of Newcastle, Australia, and these Profs are sporadically my lecturers.
Posted by: LH at April 9, 2006 09:10 PM