The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the federal government has spent almost a billion and a half dollars to explore politically popular but scientifically dubious claims such as $666,000 to determine if distant prayer could heal AIDS. It didn’t. I would be interested in how this was tested. I cannot get the image of Lyn Cassady praying at a goat in a secret military lab.
We have followed tragic cases where prayer was advocated as a better avenue than medication for AIDS and other ailments. However, that did not stop the funding of research into the question by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health. NCCAM also spent $374,000 to determine whether inhaling lemon and lavender scents can heal wounds. It couldn’t.
From coffee enemas to massages as a cancer treatment, the NCCAM pursued an array of dubious projects. One billion dollars could go a lot further in pursuing real science. I understand that many believe many citizens believe that prayer and laying of hands can heal the sick. However, such beliefs remain personal and should not be funded as a public project.
Now, “Men Who Stare At Goats” . . . that is worth an investment.
Source: Chicago Tribune
I love how a growing business sector creates health confusion and the GOP answer to it was to spend money instead of just regulating what claims someone can slap on their box of herbal medicines.
What about lucrative studies made about the efficacy of Divine Rods?
In this “God’s Little Acre” nothing surprises me anymore.
If only we could find a way to funnel more resources to the vastly superior specimens of humanity who thought this up, well then theres no limit to what problems we could solve.
Good line, Bette,
Frankly – As someone with chronic intractable pain I have an abhorence of chiropractors. I know I should not paint entire group with the brush reserved for some but too many times I have seen chiros spout off in support groups, etc about how they can cure chronic pain, including that of trigeminal neuralgia- a cranial nerve pain, by manipulating the neck. Too many charlatans, too much snake oil, too much money available to be had for the asking. (or billing).
This is long, but worth it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhGuXCuDb1U Best line? “You know what they call alternative medicine that has been proven to work? Medicine!”