Schmidt,Pittler, and Ernst's interesting data are not necessarily
evidence of lack of maturity of complementary medicine. It depends on
what we mean by "bias". If the researchers whose articles are reviewed,
have ignored or improperly interpreted unfavourable data, this is one kind
of "bias". But if the researchers tended to study therapies for which
there is already strong, positive anecdotal evidence, this can also be
called "bias". But it would not be a sign of immaturity.
Competing interests:
No competing interests
05 November 2001
Frank Leavitt
Chairman, Centre for Asian and International Bioethics,
Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
Rapid Response:
It depends on what you mean by "bias".
Schmidt,Pittler, and Ernst's interesting data are not necessarily
evidence of lack of maturity of complementary medicine. It depends on
what we mean by "bias". If the researchers whose articles are reviewed,
have ignored or improperly interpreted unfavourable data, this is one kind
of "bias". But if the researchers tended to study therapies for which
there is already strong, positive anecdotal evidence, this can also be
called "bias". But it would not be a sign of immaturity.
Competing interests: No competing interests