Sir, I would like to congratulate you on your editorial A profession no longer (BDJ 2007; 202: 235). Thanks to our colleague Dr Shipman, the medical and dental professions will never be the same again. Our reputations are in tatters and slavery to future governments is now written on our foreheads in bold letters. You are right: it is, as in dictatorial states, that without any consultation not only will the control of the GDC pass into the Government's hands, but we will pay for it. We are going to be divided and ruled. The fear of losing your livelihood is perhaps more important than any remaining self respect. We must have been blind or we should have seen it coming. Every time the Government wants to beat us with a stick all they have to do is to wave a banner with Shipman written on it. The Government probably had enough of us after the contract fiasco and also thinks that we will accept any other imposition just as well.