on the one hand, how can it be right to put someone through "sham" invasive and potentially dangerous surgery. I have no doubt the threat of "sham" surgery delays the release of drugs by slowing down trial recruitment.

On the other hand PD especially and GDNF in particular led to us having the placebo effect rubbed in our faces and how do we combat that without realistic double blind procedures. Also the drugs companies will doubtless want to be sure their product works (perhaps I am naive here) and double blind through sham surgery is a stringent test.

On balance, due to the infamous PD placebo effect I lean towards "sham" surgery as a necessary evil.

Neil.