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I read with great interest Dr Pellegrini's letter on Di Bella's miracle anticancer method.Indeed, this unfortunate saga reflects the Italian way of life in so many respects .Firstly, the Italian fascination for the "inventor" who, alone and with no help from anybody, finds the cure for cancer. It is sweet and romantic, reminds us so much of Leonardo da Vinci and makes us dream of a future again dominated by artists and not by computers.
Secondly, the Italian idiosyncrasy for rules, guidelines, protocols. After so many stories of corruption and sleaze, my co-nationals are no longer prepared to believe the words of the governing bodies; when a guideline is issued, people often think they are again being cheated. When the "Ordine dei Medici" (the italian BMA) tried to stop Di Bella's unrecognized (and expensive) cancer therapy, many patients got an exactly opposite message: here is a wise old man - the power is trying to stop him to defend the interests of the drug companies.
I disagree with Dr Pellegrini's statement that such episodes may contaminate other countries. Di Bella's ideas would not exist without Italy and the Italian patients. In fact, very little notice has been taken of them in the rest of the world. It is hardly surprising: Italian specialities require Italian ingredients.
It's the Italian way
Sir,
I read with great interest Dr Pellegrini's letter on Di Bella's miracle anticancer method.Indeed, this unfortunate saga reflects the Italian way of life in so many respects .Firstly, the Italian fascination for the "inventor" who, alone and with no help from anybody, finds the cure for cancer. It is sweet and romantic, reminds us so much of Leonardo da Vinci and makes us dream of a future again dominated by artists and not by computers.
Secondly, the Italian idiosyncrasy for rules, guidelines, protocols. After so many stories of corruption and sleaze, my co-nationals are no longer prepared to believe the words of the governing bodies; when a guideline is issued, people often think they are again being cheated. When the "Ordine dei Medici" (the italian BMA) tried to stop Di Bella's unrecognized (and expensive) cancer therapy, many patients got an exactly opposite message: here is a wise old man - the power is trying to stop him to defend the interests of the drug companies.
I disagree with Dr Pellegrini's statement that such episodes may contaminate other countries. Di Bella's ideas would not exist without Italy and the Italian patients. In fact, very little notice has been taken of them in the rest of the world. It is hardly surprising: Italian specialities require Italian ingredients.
Jac Ciampolini FRCS
Competing interests: No competing interests