FROM THE EDITORS.

Alternative medicine appears to be the latest catch phrase for a variety of 'therapies' that are 
claimed to have benefits but which fall outside science based medical procedures. 
Practitioners of such therapeutic approaches as acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, 
healing touch and even prayer have been eager to seek cover under the umbrella of 
alternative medicine in order to give themselves an aura of legitimacy and respectability.

In 1992, the National Institutes of Health established the Office for Alternative Medicine, 
after being prodded by Congress to do so. At about the same time several well known 
medical schools began to offer courses in alternative medicine. Even though the research 
sponsored and the teaching conducted usually have a narrow scope, many peddlers of 
quackery and fraud are extending this new-found appearance of legitimacy over their 
particular set of ideas.

Scientists and medical doctors have been very skeptical about the usefulness and 
appropriateness of research on alternative therapies sponsored by public funds because in 
most cases it is very difficult, if not impossible, to design controlled scientific tests of the 
claims. For example, it has been claimed that touch therapy (the hands-off type) can affect 
the immune system. The Medical University of South Carolina received a grant for 
$30,000 to conduct such a study. Whereas well-established procedures are available to 
ascertain the status of the immune system of any human, the other aspect of the study is 
much more problematic since the standard double blind test hardly can be used. The 
procedure is supposed to be effective only when a specially trained 'therapist' manipulates 
the so-called 'energy field' which is claimed to surround the body of the patient. Therefore, 
the therapist will know if he/she is conducting therapeutic touch or only shamming 
(negative control) and because the therapist knows, he/she might communicate consciously 
or unconsciously to the patient whether or not true or sham treatment is given.

And herein lies the crux of the matter: very few of these alternative therapies can be tested 
scientifically. We have included an article in this issue on the question of healing by prayer. 
It outlines some of the problems that would be involved if a test of the effectiveness of 
prayer were to be attempted.

We do not wish to deny any believers access to alternative medical therapies should they 
choose to take their chances with unproven 'cures' But we hope that those who seek 
alternatives are also availing themselves of science based medical care. However, we do 
object strongly when money collected from us through taxes and medical insurance is used 
for 'therapies' that lack scientific backing and indeed in many cases cannot be tested 
scientifically.

The editors can be reached by E-mail at ehemmin@san.rr.com or by FAX at 619-454-1158
----------------
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