items of interest

with contributions from Orla Kennedy, Jeffrey Kluger, Jeremy Redmon, Nelly Favis-Villafuerte

"Is complementary medicine hocus-pocus or does it warrant large-scale scientific investigation? Should science range beyond conventional medicine and conduct research on alternative medicine and the supposed growing links between mind and body? ... The Daily Telegraph asked scientists their views on complementary and alternative medicine. Seventy-five scientists, in fields ranging from molecular biology to neuroscience, replied. Surprisingly, our sample of scientists was twice as likely as the public to use some form of complementary medicine, at around four in 10 compared with two in 10 of the general population.

"The Prince of Wales, one of the leading lights in this area, has set up his own Foundation for Integrated Health. He said recently that 'in the complex healthcare world of the 21st century, no single therapeutic practice could possibly have a monopoly on effective diagnosis and treatment for all conditions. Scientific, psychological, nutritional, environmental, and spiritual insights must surely be fully employed to restore and maintain health.' ...

"The House of Lords select committee on science and technology's report on complementary and alternative medicine in 2000 recommended better regulation and research into this area so that both the public and the medical establishment have confidence in its effectiveness and safety. The Government's five-year program providing £7.5 million for research in complementary medicine is about to begin."

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