Surgical Neurology International Has Published a Two-Part Series Entitled "America, Guns, and Freedom: A Recapitulation of Liberty" and an Additional Article, "Shooting Rampages, Mental Health, and the Sensationalization of Violence"

Open-access journal weighs in on the gun control debate from a neurological perspective

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the issue of gun control heats up across the nation, Surgical Neurology International (SNI) offers an objective point of view from a highly-respected retired neurosurgeon and medical historian, Dr. Miguel A. Faria. In his two-part series, Faria says, "As neurosurgeons, we can be compassionate and still be honest and have the moral courage to pursue the truth and find viable solutions through the use of sound, scholarly research in the area of guns and violence." Faria, who immigrated to the United States from Cuba, provides his analysis from the point of view of someone who has seen first-hand the effects of a dictatorship and the loss of freedom. Faria goes on to say, "As neurosurgeons, we have an obligation to reach our conclusions based on objective data and scientific information rather than on ideology, emotionalism or partisan politics."

“As neurosurgeons, we have an obligation to reach our conclusions based on objective data and scientific information rather than on ideology, emotionalism or partisan politics.”

The two-part series can be found at the following URLs. PDF files can be downloaded free for each installment.

• Part One: http://surgicalneurologyint.com/article.asp?issn=2152-7806;year=2012;volume=3;issue=1;spage=133;epage=133;aulast=Faria
• Part Two: http://surgicalneurologyint.com/article.asp?issn=2152-7806;year=2012;volume=3;issue=1;spage=135;epage=135;aulast=Faria

In his most recent article, Faria discusses the problem of rampage shootings and its association with a deficient mental health system in which patients fall through the cracks – if they are evaluated at all. He also discusses the problems of violence in popular culture and its sensationalization by the mass media in a society which seems to be rudderless, unable to balance technological advances with ethics in the information age.

This article can be found at the following URL, and a PDF file can also be downloaded: http://www.surgicalneurologyint.com/article.asp?issn=2152-7806;year=2013;volume=4;issue=1;spage=16;epage=16;aulast=Faria.

About SNI: Surgical Neurology International is an open access, Internet-only journal that rapidly publishes the latest developments in the field of neurosurgery and related clinical and basic neurosciences. SNI will also discuss timely and controversial clinical, social, ethical, and political subjects related to the neurosciences of its readers worldwide.