Wegener's granulomatosis – should we change the name of the disease?

Summary It was proposed that the eponym “Wegener's granulomatosis” should not be used any more due to the fact that Friedrich Wegener (1907–1990) was the member of the National Socialist German WorkersParty and because it was suggested that had been involved during the WWII in human experiments and genocide. Based on this accusations the American College of Rheumatology, The American Society of Nephrology and the European League Against Rheumatism decided that all medical scientists should no longer use the term Wegener's granulomatosis. However, the real value of these accusations were questioned. It was confirmed that Wegener joined Sturmabteilung ( SA “brownshirts”), the German State Party NSDAP and the National Socialist German Physicians’ Federation ( NSDÄB ). It was also showed that the main accusations against him, namely human experiments and genocide during WWII had no foundation, and were based on speculations. The life of Wegener between 1933–1945 has been also presented in the historical perspective of situation in Germany in 30s. There are no proofs that Wegener was ever involved in genocide and human experiments during the WWII , thus the term “Wegener's granulomatosis” should be considered as still appropriate.