Counterclaim 6: It is not possible to rule out the psychogenic and toxic explanations for many symptoms in some cases without further research. Specifically, all the conditions for psychogenic propagation of malaise were present in this episode.
Concerning the last counterclaim, we offer the following scenario: initially, -for whatever reason- a few individuals believed they were being "attacked" by "sonic weapons".
Subsequently, an environment was created that fostered amplification of symptoms and their misattribution to improbable causes, together with a psychogenic spread of concern and the development of functional neurological disorders. The factors that created this environment were an inadequate initial medical response, the early official U.S. government endorsement of an "attack" theory, and sensationalist media coverage, among other causes.
CAS is willing to revise its conclusions if new evidence emerges. It welcomes attempts to disprove its counterclaims in an atmosphere of open scientific collaboration. However, it firmly rejects as an "established truth," a narrative built on flimsy foundations and faulty scientific practice. Each link in the chain of reasoning leading to the “mysterious syndrome” narrative is weak, so they cannot bolster each other. Additional flawed research cannot buttress the narrative. Unfortunately, farfetched speculations in some scientific fields (say neuropsychology, neuroimaging, or biomechanical modeling) are offered because they were “suggested” by other -unvalidated- conjectures.
An example is the idea that an “attack took place, which is accepted without critical thinking. Some science articles -and most news stories- we have read accept as an axiom that attacks occurred in Havana, thus an idea to build theories on. Nevertheless, after four years, no evidence of attacks has emerged. It is time for a restart of the narrative.
The CAS Expert Group deplores the lack of adequate patient medical information to carry out its work and the artificial restrictions imposed on collaboration with U.S. researchers involved in patient assessments. We sympathize with the plight of U.S. employees (or their families) that have health complaints. Since we recognize that people have been feeling ill, we think it is ethically imperative to dispel wild conspiracy theories and misattribution of symptoms to explanations that defy the laws of physics. Accomplishing the goal of cooperation and collaboration between U.S. and Cuban researchers would be a solid step to accelerate the recovery for many people affected by these incidents (Stone, 2014).
CAS reiterates its willingness to collaborate with NASEM and any other U.S. or international counterparts, with the goal of better understand the health incidents involving U.S. diplomats and their families in Havana (or in any other place). Ultimately, we hope this would help alleviate suffering in affected individuals and contribute to re-establishing closer ties between the two scientific communities and eventually between the two countries.
An Assessment of the Health Complaints during Sojourns in Havana of Foreign Government Employees and their Families - Technical Report by an Expert Group of the Cuban Academy of Sciences (Sep, 2021)
