Docs and junk science

[JMUCKERHEIDE@delphi.com]

Wonderful  news! Does this mean that real Dr.'s will take on Helen Caldecott
and Physicians for Social Responsibility"? :-) 

Jim Muckerheide
muckerheide@mediaone.net
========================

> The following editorial appeared today in the Seattle Times. It is
> available online at this URL:
> 
> http://www.seattletimes.com/news/editorial/html98/junked_031998.html
> 
> Bruce Pickett
> bruce.d.pickett@boeing.com
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------Posted at 07:07 a.m.
>  PST; Thursday, March 19, 1998 Docs and junk science THE American Medical Associ
> ation has a promising new antidote to the
> junk-science virus plaguing our nation's courts: peer pressure. Under a new peer
>  review system proposal being studied by the AMA,
> doctors would hold their colleagues accountable for false, misleading
> and high-priced testimony that promotes dubious scientific theories.
> Just as research published in top medical journals is subjected to a
> rigorous review process, so would expert witness testimony be held to
> high standards. The details still need to be worked out, but the
> professional organization is counting on local chapters to take an
> active role in designing a smooth system of accountability. With the cooperation
>  of county medical societies and state licensing
> agencies, hired guns who engage in courtroom misinformation could be
> sanctioned or lose their licenses. The goal is to curb the unscrupulous
> conduct of a small number of medical professionals who stoke fear and
> litigation by ignoring evidence and exaggerating chemical or
> environmental risks. As AMA leaders note, it's not only the credibility
> of the medical profession that suffers, but also the quality of patient
> care. Safe products have been pulled from the market based on irresponsible
> medical testimony; patients have been discouraged from using effective
> treatments based on junk-science news reports; innovative biotechnology
> and pharmaceutical firms have been stymied or bankrupted by unsound
> litigation. Adopting a no-tolerance policy makes sense. Doctors should practice 
> on
> the stand what they practice in operating rooms and clinics: honest
> medicine. The AMA plan deserves active support from this region's
> medical professionals, hospitals, academic researchers and biotech
> firms.