Global Security Newswire

A professional review board was set on Thursday to resume a probe of work carried out by South African cardiologist Wouter Basson during his tenure heading biological and chemical weapons programs under the nation's former apartheid government, the South African Press Association reported (see GSN, Sept. 26, 2011).

Basson, nicknamed "Dr. Death," has called for dismissal of four unethical behavior charges under review by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. A 2011 dispute over the dismissal request prompted a delay in the proceedings; deliberations would resume in March should the request be rejected.

Basson, who was absolved in criminal court in 2002, argued he had acted on orders from Gen. Ernst Nieuwoudt, then South Africa's surgeon general and a medical board member. In addition, Basson has said he was of the view that the program he headed was strictly a defense effort.

Jaap Cilliers, Basson's representative, said the defendant's role in the South African military's Project Coast program was largely limited to the issuance of broad instructions.

Health ethicist Steven Miles, though, has accused Basson of creating and fielding toxins for combat purposes in contravention of his professional commitment against doing harm  (South African Press Association/Independent Online, Jan. 26).