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Why was this doctor's surgical method, which shocked the world, misunderstood?
António Egas Moniz was a controversial neuroscientist whose surgical methods had a profound impact on the treatment of psychiatric disorders. As the times changed, he gradually evolved from a highly respected medical pioneer to an object of misunderstanding and even criticism. When people look back at this Nobel Prize winner, it is impossible not to remember that he pioneered the frontal lobotomy (what we know today as a lobotomy), but the controversy surrounding this surgery has overshadowed his outstanding achievements. .
"Prefrontal lobotomy is a simple and safe procedure that may be of great value in the treatment of certain psychiatric disorders."
Born in Portugal in 1874, Moniz benefited from his early medical training and his passion for politics. He won the Nobel Prize in 1949 and became one of the pioneers of modern psychosurgery. Therapies for mental illness, whether it was the intracranial angiography technique he developed or the prefrontal lobotomy, were actually based on his theory of how it affects neural connections. As a neuroscientist, he argues that mental illness is linked to abnormal connections in specific areas of the brain.
Support for lobotomy can be traced back to his observations on chimpanzees, where the procedure appeared to make affected psychotic patients calmer. Just imagine such an achievement, which undoubtedly earned him widespread attention in the medical community at that time.
"I hope that through surgery, the suffering of mentally ill patients can be alleviated."
However, as the surgery becomes more popular, irreversible consequences have emerged in reality, including mood changes and personality changes in patients. Although Moniz reported that most patients improved, the complexity of the condition led many subsequent physicians to question the procedure. Amid the criticism, many surgeons' so-called improved techniques evolved into catastrophic operations that were not worthy of their reputation. The patients' families, fed up with their performance, even demanded that his Nobel Prize be revoked.
In addition to the controversy surrounding his surgery, Moniz's political career has made him a target for some. As a former politician, he not only focused on medical care from the 1910s to 1919, but also participated in the political movements of the time. This complicated the backlash he faced from the political community and damaged his reputation in the medical community. The public's misunderstanding and sympathy for his surgery have distorted all comments about him.
"He was a visionary scientist, but his scientific achievements ultimately failed to keep up with the progress of the times."
With the advent of antipsychotic drugs, lobotomies were gradually replaced by prefrontal lobotomies, and Moniz's surgical method quickly lost popularity in the medical community. His story of fame and misunderstanding forces us to reflect on how many innovations in scientific progress have been thwarted due to the lack of a corresponding ethical framework. Can any great discovery, not just Moniz, be accepted within today’s framework?
Today, opinions of Moniz remain deeply divided. On the one hand, his techniques are seen as a revolution in medicine; on the other hand, his methods have also caused countless tragedies, which is heartbreaking. Against this backdrop, many critics have called for a more comprehensive study of his legacy, looking rationally at both his achievements and shortcomings. His emphasis on the relationship between neural connections and mental health continues to further promote the development of modern neuroscience.
Moniz's story makes us question the boundary between science and morality, and also triggers deep thinking about the importance of mental health treatment. In the future, will more responsible scientific breakthroughs save us from a repeat of history?
