Tag Archives: Medical research
Observational science goes back to Galileo. Dr. Elazer Edelman, Director of the Harvard-MIT Biomedical Engineering Center, spoke in September 2017, on the topic of “Reverse Translational Medicine”, which was defined as scientific discovery by observing what works in practice, and finding understanding from experience and observation. He emphasized the importance of scientific advocacy, and gave his own personal motto of, “Priam sciere”, or “Above all, seek to understand.” In writing the “Origin of Disease: The War Within”, we try…..
In our medical research system, researchers, institutions, charitable organizations, and manufacturers engage in joint contracts to share patents and profits. Researchers at academic institutions do research and make observations and findings; but, seldom make conclusions on causation or offer solutions for patients. Results are turned over to manufacturers to find treatments, for vague observations or findings; and some manufacturers have been known to manipulate clinical studies to reach a positive and profitable outcome. The FDA inconsistently claims overarching authority…..
Science is a good thing. Clinical trials to prove safety and efficacy of drugs and devices are a good thing. The problem is the selective application of science—for good or for profit; the narrow focus of research; and the unequal application of science and scientific rigor. Sometimes scientists use science to control the conversation and exert authority; and sometimes science is perverted in clinical trials by those seeking profit. The FDA is inconsistent in demanding proof of safety and…..
We are on the precipice of so many things. The coronavirus pandemic could spur innovation and lead to the discovery of the root causes of many chronic diseases, through development of new diagnostic tools and routine availability of better diagnostic tools, in patient care and research. It could lead to new medications and vaccines for other viral illnesses; and a better understanding of the role of immortal bacteria, bacterial pneumonia, and underlying co-infections, in chronic disease and acute viral illness……
Some of what medicine says is true, and some is not true—the problem is practitioners do not necessarily know which is true and which is not. Medicine is overwhelmed by knowledge, while starving for ideas on how to apply the knowledge to benefit patients. Medical practitioners are not routinely exposed to knowledge in other specialties. Research is done by each individual specialty, and researchers may not recognize the importance and significance of findings that relate to different specialties. Research bias…..
Medicine has amassed huge amounts of knowledge down to very small details; and knowledge of associations, connections, links, cluster differentiations, abnormal proteins, genes, etc. The knowledge is interesting and important; however, putting the knowledge together across medical fields, to understand patterns and seek understanding of causation by thinking about what is known, experience, and observations will provide the greatest benefit to the most patients. The bias in medicine against ever stating a cause is so strong, that when writing the…..
In 1988, Gertrude Elion (1918-1999), George Hitchings, and Sir James W. Black shared the Nobel Prize for physiology/medicine. They are credited with developing Daraprim, to treat blood borne parasitic infections (including malaria and toxoplasmosis). WHO reported Daraprim is one of the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system. In clinical trials, Daraprim was shown to be effective in HIV, retinochoroiditis, ALS, and variety of other chronic diseases; and may slow the progression of Tay-Sachs disease, a syndrome…..
The older one gets, the more immortal infections a person acquires, and the higher the overall infectious burden. The more chronic infections and the longer the chronic infections persist—the more likely a person will develop a chronic disease. Medicine ignores suggestions from scientists and thinkers, patterns suggesting infectious causes, and circumstantial evidence; and resists acknowledging infectious causes of chronic disease. Medical research seeks any possible alternative conclusion—diet, excise, environment, lifestyle, genes, abnormal proteins, inflammation, aging, etc.; and has had…..
Many philosophers set forth principles that can apply in medicine: Other things being equal, the simplest hypothesis possible is the good principle (Aristotle). Distinguish between two hypotheses, by shaving away unnecessary assumptions or cutting apart two similar conclusions; and the competing hypotheses with the fewest assumptions should be selected (Ockham). The obvious diagnosis is the most likely—when you hear hoof beats, think of horses not zebras (Woodward). Entities are not to be multiplied without necessity (Punch). We are to admit…..
Research has become esoteric, consumed by small details, and infected with bias, which prevents important discoveries or important discoveries are overlooked. Research is limited by the desire to find one infectious cause per disease, when more than one pathogen or combinations of pathogens can cause the same disease.