Editorial

The problem of choice

Hassan R Naqvi^1,2,3 , Shawn Mathur^2,3 , David Covarrubias^2,3 , Josephine A Curcio^2,3 and Christian Schmidt^2,3,4

¹  The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, USA

²  Section of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Texas, 1 University Station, A 5000, Austin, TX 78712, USA

³  Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas, 1 University Station, A 5000, Austin, TX 78712, USA

⁴  Molecular Cancer, Biomed Central Ltd., Middlesex House, 34–42 Cleveland Street, London W1T 4LB, UK

author email corresponding author email

Molecular Cancer 2008, 7:86doi:10.1186/1476-4598-7-86

Published:	23 November 2008

Abstract

Convictions are a driving force for actions. Considering that every individual has a different set of convictions and larger groups act once a consensus decision is reached, one can see that debate is an inherent exercise in decision-making. This requires a sustainably generated surplus to allow time for intellectual exchange, gathering of information and dissemination of findings. It is essential that the full spectrum of options remain treated equally. At the end of this process, a choice has to be made. Looking back at a later time point, a retrospective analysis sometimes reveals that the choice was neither completely free nor a truly conscious one. Leaving the issue of consequences of a once made decision aside, we wish to contribute to the debate of the problem of choice.