Are our best professionals fried?

Worrying figures of physical, mental illnesses among scientists and high-tech professionals need government attention

From depression, ulcers, migraines and insomnia, scores of China's scientists and high-tech professionals are feeling the pressure to succeed and gritting through tremendous ailments, illnesses and pain.

A recent survey by the China Association for Science and Technology on the health and fitness of a large number of professionals in China's science and technology fields shows that many are suffering from different kinds of chronic occupational diseases. For example, about 11.5 percent had some cardio-cerebral vascular illness, 10.6 percent had digestive ulcers, 8.4 percent had chronic fatigue syndrome, and 7.9 percent were suffering from anxiety. Migraines, diabetes and bronchial asthma were also wearing down on the professionals.