Thanks for trying to get sense into the public discourse
As a theoretical physicist I strongly appreciate your open letter and
the related media attention you created. It is very timely to draw public
attention to the dangers of relying on so-called 'alternative' medicine.
You are more than correct to demand clinical studies of CAM methods -
preferrably as true complement to a proven method. If such studies show
improvements BEYOND the baseline of standard methods, such CAM methods
might be suitable as adjunct treatment.
It seems to me that quite a few of formerly 'complementary'
treatments have undergone clinical studies in the past. As far as I knoe,
certain herbal treatments as well as aspects of accupuncture have
significant medical value are are now being used in mainstream medicine.
Others might follow.
I think it is also undisputed that a good diet is - at least -
helpful to improve overall health as well as the immunological response
capabilites. But you are right to point out that such efforts can - at
best - be seen as complimentary today.
The arguments of some proponents of CAM above seem to miss out one of
the most crucial benefits of the deductive method (which has a far longer
history of just '200 years'): Reproducability. Sound scientifical research
is based on hypothesis and experiment, which either leads to falsification
or (temporary) confirmation as a working hypothesis.
Rapid Response:
Thanks for trying to get sense into the public discourse
As a theoretical physicist I strongly appreciate your open letter and
the related media attention you created. It is very timely to draw public
attention to the dangers of relying on so-called 'alternative' medicine.
You are more than correct to demand clinical studies of CAM methods -
preferrably as true complement to a proven method. If such studies show
improvements BEYOND the baseline of standard methods, such CAM methods
might be suitable as adjunct treatment.
It seems to me that quite a few of formerly 'complementary'
treatments have undergone clinical studies in the past. As far as I knoe,
certain herbal treatments as well as aspects of accupuncture have
significant medical value are are now being used in mainstream medicine.
Others might follow.
I think it is also undisputed that a good diet is - at least -
helpful to improve overall health as well as the immunological response
capabilites. But you are right to point out that such efforts can - at
best - be seen as complimentary today.
The arguments of some proponents of CAM above seem to miss out one of
the most crucial benefits of the deductive method (which has a far longer
history of just '200 years'): Reproducability. Sound scientifical research
is based on hypothesis and experiment, which either leads to falsification
or (temporary) confirmation as a working hypothesis.
Again, I applaude your civil courage to stand up!
Gerald Beuchelt
beuchelt -at- yahoo -dot- com
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests