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This article contained a very disturbing comment: “Neurologist Annette Langer-Gould of Stanford University says that even the 1-in-1,000 risk of PML [leukemia] ‘seems to outweigh the benefits’ that natalizumab would provide many patients.” Having a genetic mutation for which there is no treatment or cure and having (and having had) friends with MS, I am very concerned that some entity would withhold a beneficial treatment because of an identified risk. First and foremost, the choice is that of the recipient, not the administrator. When the risks are high—e.g., greater than 50-50—then sufficient counseling should be made available to help the patient consider the quality of life versus the trade-offs.

David Sweetman
Dyer, Nev.