The Way of Science

Alternative Medicine

Now that we have examined how to weigh evidence and gained some skills needed for critical thinking, let's apply them by looking at the various claims made by the advocates of alternative medicine. In the US, there are now more visits to practitioners of "alternative" medicine than to mainstream physicians. Is there any scientific evidence behind this vast public acceptance of homeopathy, acupuncture, Ayurveda, etc? Here's a small start on the subject, drawn from a special issue of Skeptical Inquirer devoted to "alternative" medicine and Scientific America Frontiers video called "A Different Way to Heal?" narrated by Alan Alden.

Reading List
1. Park, R. 1997. Alternative Medicine and the Laws of Physics. Skeptical Inquirer 21(5): 24-28.
2. Angell, M. and Kassier, J.P. 1998. Alternative Medicine. Reprinted in Skeptical Inquirer 23(1): 58-59.
   
   This article is a reprint of the New England Journal of Medicine editorial on alternative medicine.

Scientific America Frontiers video: "A Different Way to Heal?"
This video presents alternative medicines and the question of how science can help to determine the effectiveness of these therapies. Answer the following questions as you watch the video and be prepared to discuss them in class.
Questions

1. What are alternative medicines? Give examples.
2. Who is Wally Sampson?
3. Why do some people start out as strong skeptics but then become strong supporters?
4. What is traditional Chinese medicine? What is chi?
5. What are the claims for PC SPES from Botanic Labs?
6. What is the evidence for PC SPES according to Eric Small of the San Francisco Medical Center?
7. What concerns do physicians have for alternative medicines?
8. What does the video present about chiropractic medicine? (Describe the underlying premise.) What is the evidence for this therapy?
9. What are claims for acupuncture? What evidence is presented?
10. What role does cause-and-effect play in alternative medicines? What is the placebo effect?
11. What is therapeutic touch and in what three ways has it been tested?

Park, R. 1997. Alternative Medicine and the Laws of Physics. Skeptical Inquirer 21(5): 24-28.
Questions

1. What is homeopathy?
2. What are successive dilutions?
3. How is the placebo effect related to homeopathy?

Angell, M. and Kassier, J.P. 1998. Alternative Medicine. Reprinted in Skeptical Inquirer 23(1): 58-59.
Questions

1. What does Angell report about the thirty research grants awarded by the NIH Office of Alternative Medicine in 1993?
2. What role does a case report have in the process of science?
3. What do alternative medicines offer that science-based, modern medicine does not?
4. What is a randomly controlled clinical trial?
5. Can alternative medicines be harmful?