BMA powerless to investigate Keele

The British Medical Association has been dismayed by the reporting of its discussions ("BMA to investigate Keele team" THES, February 24).

The article is erroneous in stating that the BMA's ethics committee is "to investigate child protection procedures developed at Keele University". The role of the ethics committee is to look at issues of principle. As a matter of principle, the committee has reaffirmed its existing view that introduction of new techniques into medical practice must be subject to appropriate validation.

The evidence as to whether particular techniques or mechanisms provide helpful diagnostic data is a matter for the Department of Health and the medical profession as a whole to decide. The Government has recently announced the introduction of a monitoring system for examining innovative practice and unproven techniques to protect the public. Under the Government's plans, innovations will be subject to approval and evaluation by experts.

The BMA is a voluntary professional association and not a disciplinary body. Unlike the General Medical Council, the BMA has no powers to investigate any particular procedure or the conduct of members of the medical profession.

Fleur Fisher

BMA head of ethics