PSA Op Ed Leads to Finding of Violation of Academic Freedom at UC-Davis

Just when it was emerging from the pepper-spray affair, UC-Davis seems to have another controversy going, this time involving its med school.  Inside Higher Ed reports that a 2010 newspaper op ed concerning the use of PSA screening for prostate cancer by a faculty member led to retaliation against him by the school's administration, according to a faculty investigation.

The dean and executive associate dean of the school are quoted as saying, "We deeply regret that our actions in handling this particular personnel matter are perceived by some as a violation of academic freedom. Academic freedom is fundamental to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, and we are personally and professionally committed to upholding that freedom within our institution..."

Full story at: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/06/06/academic-freedom-committee-uc-davis-blames-administrators

The op ed that seems to have sparked the affair raised questions about the widespread use of the PSA test.  As it happens, that viewpoint received support from a federal advisory panel a couple of weeks ago: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-21/prostate-cancer-screening-test-harmful/55118036/1