If it quacks..
Article Abstract:
In 1990, the United States Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) published a report entitled Unconventional Cancer Treatments. The report, commissioned by 42 members of Congress, is a testament both to fuzzy thinking on Capitol Hill and unwillingness in the scientific community to call a spade a spade. In the forward to the publication, the director of the OTA indicates that some of the ''unconventional'' cancer treatments available today might become part of mainstream medicine tomorrow. The statement is in error, because unconventional does not mean new or untested. Certainly, many cancer treatment methods, which are not yet part of mainstream medicine, are being carefully investigated. These treatment methods are experimental, not unconventional. The word unconventional is used to describe clinics which prescribe coffee enemas, and diets which include items on the basis of mystical beliefs. In short, the word unconventional is used to describe treatments that should be called quackery. The proponents of quack medicine often accuse the medical establishment of leading a conspiracy to suppress their successes in the treatment of cancer. Often, these same people will have tabulated a roster of successful treatments which they are more than willing to show to any man on the street or Congressman who might be interested. Medical scientists instantly recognize that the data in such reports is generally worthless, but the average layman can not be expected to make as sophisticated an analysis. The scientists tend to call the techniques used by such clinics ''unproven'', which, of course, is true, but also confers the impression that they might one day be proven. It is important for medical scientists to insist that, if ''unconventional'' is to be used as a polite substitute for quackery, the distinction between unconventional and experimental be made explicit in reports such as that issued by the OTA. Until then, quacks will be able to lend credence to their methods and the government will have backed away from the scientific method. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Cancer
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0008-543X
Year: 1991
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A Ray rekindled
Article Abstract:
John Ray, who is considered as the father of natural history in UK, was born on Nov 29, 1627 in the village of Black Notley in Essex. Although to many modern biologists he is virtually unknown, Ray has a status of a towering figure in taxanomy who served as an inspiration for Linnaeus. In a posthumous publication entitled 'Synopsis Methodica Avium et Piscium' of 1713, Ray produced systematic works on plants, birds, fish, insects and mammals. His plant classification system was the first to divide flowering plants into monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous types. Ray's connection with the Church as well as his relation with Francis Willughby are also discussed.
Publication Name: Endeavour
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0160-9327
Year: 1999
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Bully for you
Article Abstract:
Bullying in the workplace can take the form of shouting and overt aggression, as well as by taking away an employee's responsibilities and assigning trivial tasks in exchange, or by excluding a worker from meetings, training, or other activities. A key problem with bullying is that people rarely see their own behavior as excessive and just about anyone is potentially capable of bullying behavior.
Publication Name: Accountancy
Subject: Business
ISSN: 0001-4664
Year: 2007
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