Academics at the University of Central Lancashire are fighting a last-ditch battle to stop it offering “science degrees” in acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. Here’s the story, courtesy of the Times Higher Education Supplement.
Plans to offer new science degrees in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine at the University of Central Lancashire have met fierce opposition – from the university’s own staff. Mike Eslea, a senior lecturer in the School of Psychology, has written an “open letter” to the vice-chancellor opposing the courses on the grounds that they have “no academic justification” and would “severely damage” the reputation of the university. Three new degrees are being offered by the university from September in a partnership with the Northern College of Acupuncture. They are a BSc (hons) in acupuncture, an MSc in acupuncture and an MSc in Chinese herbal medicine. Dr Eslea said he was protesting now because there was a final “chance to make a stand before they are up and running”. His letter says there is a paucity of scientific evidence in the subjects, and the title BSc should not be given to courses that appear to be aimed at training practitioners. “The fact that they are science courses really rankles. Having these courses is damaging, and it makes us a laughing stock in the scientific community,” Dr Eslea said. The letter is being made available by Dr Eslea to all Uclan staff and students. As Times Higher Education went to press, the university said that seven people had added their names to the document. A Uclan spokesman said the new courses contained “significant elements” of science and noted that a core first-year module required students to critically review all types of complementary therapies.” The courses have gone through Uclan’s rigorous academic approval process during which senior academic staff from across the university, including those from the faculty of science and technology, considered the academic merits of the programmes. Subsequently, the courses have been considered and approved by a validation panel, which includes Uclan and external academics,” he said.
Interesting how prominently Chinese quackery features in alternative medicine these days. The People’s Republic, which is lavish in its sponsorship of research into Chinese pseudoscience, must be thrilled.
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I find your flat dismissal of herbal medicine odd and illogical. Many orthodox pharmacuetical drugs are made from plant extracts and in most cases used for the same purpose as the herbal remedy has been traditionally used.
The trouble is that the raw plant or herb is cheap, so who is going to profit from it? farmers/producers perhaps…not pharmaceutical companies.
If I may transgress for a moment, to the subject of a food additive.
Stevia, a plant extract used as a sweetener, this has not gained approval in europe nor the US for use in food, because they quote its safety is as yet undetermined. this is odd, seeing as how the WHO study showed it to be very positive in its report, having no apparent side effects and actually having positive therapeutic qualities (this is not counterknowledge by the way).
Now what would happen to Monsanto’s cash cow ‘Aspartame’ if Stevia was approved. draw your own conclusions.
Stevia incidentally is used in Japan by Coca Cola.
I am quite sure we could draw a parallel in the field of medicine.
eg scientific studies have shown Butterbur to be at least as effective as Citirozine or Zirtek, (not counterknowledge) I use Zirtek and I find it to the best hayfever alleviation I have used, Trouble is it knocks me out, (I wonder how many accidents and deaths have been caused by this drowsiness side effect).
I have not yet tried butterbur as i cant find it in the stores, but i plan to give it a go next summer.
I am sick of the side effects of hayfever medication,
Having been refused entry to the air force because of cardiac arhythmia later assumed to be caused by The drug Triludan. It did clear up when I stopped taking it and I passed an RN medical and later a class 1 Civil Aviation medical with a sound cardio trace.
In my humble opinion i find your stance on many issues to be ridiculous and at the far end of the spectrum. However i think you know as well as most of us do that the world is many shades of grey…not black and white, to think it is is to be as deluded as a flat earther.