ORTHODOX MEDICINE

“An important scientific innovation rarely makes its way by

gradually winning over and converting its opponents.

What does happen is that its opponents gradually die out

and that the growing generation

is familiar with the idea from the beginning.”

– Max Planck

A new era in medicine began with completion of the Human Genome Project. The application of genomics is a major contribution to preventive health care. Unfortunately, orthodox medicine is opposed to preventive care that would reduce profits.

Where is the mythical preventive medicine that we thought was progressing in orthodox medicine? It is orthodox medicine itself that has blocked any meaningful course leading to preventive health care.

The drug companies and medical specialities have organized into powerful special interest groups. These groups ensure that high-profit drugs and disease treatments remain standard medical care.

Orthodox medicine discourages the competition of preventive health care. Patients and their physicians are penalized for deviating from standard disease care.

Unfortunately, expensive drugs and treatments often do not correct the cause of the disease. Standard disease care is often not in the best medical interest of the patient or the society that pays for it.

I believe we have developed too much tolerance for this conflict-of-interest in medicine. A major shift in perspective is required if we are to benefit from genomics in preventive health care.