Well, that's really sad. Not unexpected, but tragic. In the First World, it's all about the $$$$$.

Medical professional societies are no different than professional societies in other industries. They exist not benefit of their clients, customers or patients. Rather, they exist to increase revenues and profits for their members and speciality as a whole. They exist to cover each others butts when something negative surfaces that might financially hurt their industry.

ETS has been a tremendous boon for vascular and thoracic surgeons. It has given them a way to make the kind of money that before only plastic surgeons could make.

We should not expect to garner their attention or expect changes to happen via these organizations. They will protect their cash cow at all costs.

Lawsuits, government intervention and publicity I think are the best weapons.