Dr Mark Pinkerton BSc, BDS, DClinDent(Orth), MOrthRCSEd is specialist orthodontist with a background in molecular biology and medicine,  studying the biological and clinical sciences for over 25 years. His own research is based in molecular biology used and real-time PCR to help characterise patterns of gene expressions in a range of mechano-responsive genes in human periodontal ligament cells in dynamic in-vitro cell culture. His research culminated in a thesis and a number of related publications.  Mark was drawn to join NZDSOS in support of their calls for genuine scientific discussion on the measures implemented by governments to manage the emerging Covid-19 pandemic. The vaccine roll-out and the subsequent mandates brought about a concerning departure from “era of evidence” accompanied by a strident and regressive return to a reliance upon the opinions of a cadre of obscure experts. The diminution of the principles of informed consent, the trampling of human rights as they are enshrined in international law and the immense division that is emerging in our society become so apparent and so shocking, that Mark felt compelled the to join the campaign to protect the rights and health of our patients, restore informed consent and human rights and address the rift which is developing in our social order. The willing participation of our leadership and the mainstream media in fomenting and driving societal division is symptomatic of a level of moral turpitude which is too abhorrent to ignore.