Science Meets Alternative Medicine
SkeptInq@aol.com
Wed, 25 Nov 1998 13:39:11 EST
The following is advance notice of a February national conference held in
Philadelphia that gathers top scientists and physicians to take a critical
look at alternative medicine.
The conference features keynote addresses from Marcia Angell, MD, Executive
Editor of the New England Journal of Medicine and George Lunz, MD, Editor of
the Journal of the American Medical Association(JAMA).
Contact Matt Nisbet at 716-636-1425 X219. SINISBET@aol.com
____________________________________________________________________
Skeptical Inquirer magazine and the journal Scientific Review of Alternative
Medicine Present:
SCIENCE MEETS ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
A National Conference for Medical Professionals and Consumers
February 26-28, 1999
Warwick Hotel, Philadelphia
Call 1800-634-1610 to Register.
***Featuring Keynote Addresses by Marcia Angell, MD, Executive Editor of the
New England Journal of Medicine and George D. Lundberg, MD, Editor of the
Journal of the American Medical Association(JAMA).****
How strong (or weak) is the evidence? What's the impact on doctors and
patients?
What are the implications for medical ethics, government, and the media?
SCHEDULE
-FRI, FEB. 26-
7:00pm Reception
-SAT., FEB. 27-
8-830am Conference Opening Address
830-1100 Science and Alternative Medicine(AM);Exploring Points of Conflict
(Plenary)
Physics, Scientific Law, and Homeopathy
Biochemistry and Nutritional Supplements
Biology and 'Life Forces'
Clinical Errors in Alternative Medicine
11-1200Noon
Keynote Address:
George D. Lundberg, MD
Editor, Journal of the American Medical Association(JAMA)
2-500pm AM and the Psychology of Belief and Perception (Plenary)
The Psychology of Belief
Why Worthless Therapies Seem to Work
Personal Coversions to AM Therapies
7-900pm Banquet and Special Address
SUN., FEB 28
8-12noon Scientific Critiques of AM Therapies and Theories(Plenary)
The Crisis of Herbal Cures in Europe
Acupuncture
Chiropractic
Naturopathy
Mind/Body Therapies
Case Study: Herbs and Supplements
2-300pm Keynote Address: Marcia Angell, MD, Executive Editor of the New
England Journal of Medicine
300-5pm AM and Medical Ethics
Therapeutic Touch: What is the Harm?
The Ethics of Alternative Medicine
Is it Right to Promote Unproven Therapies?
300-500pm AM, Government, and the Law (Concurrent)
The FDA and Unproven Health Claims
Perils of the Marketplace: Profits, Hype and Harm
300-500pm Educating Physicians and Consumers
AM and Medical Journals
AM and Medical Schools
Critical Thinking for Physicians
Why We Need Better AM Research
Conference Speakers Include:
Wallace Sampson, Clincal Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, Editor
of SRAM; Paul Kurtz, Publisher of SRAM, Professor Emeritus, SUNY at Buffalo;
Marcia Angell, MD, Executive Editor, New England Journal of Medicine; George
Lundberg, MD, Editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association;
Robert Park, PhD, Executive Director, American Physical Society; Saul Green,
PhD, emeritus Professor of Biochemistry, Memorial-Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Institute, New York; John Renner, MD, Clinical Professor of Family Medicine,
University of Missouri, Kansas City; Barry Beyerstein, PhD, Dept. of
Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia; James Alcock,
PhD, Dept. of Psychology, Glendon College, York University; William Jarvis,
PhD, Executive Director, National Council Against Health Fraud; Stephen
Barrett, MD, Board Chairman of Quackwatch, Inc., and Board Member of the
National Council Against Health Fraud; Donal P. O'Mathuna, MD, Professor of
Bioethics and Chemistry, Mount Carmel College of Nursing, Columbus, Ohio;
Lawrence J. Schneiderman, MD, Professor of Family and Preventive Medicine,
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine; Lewis Vaughn,
Executive Editor, SRAM; Andrew Skolnick, American Medical Association
ACCOMODATIONS AND TRAVEL INFORMATION
Rooms are available at the beautiful Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia at special
rates for conference attendees: $130 for a single, $145 for a double. For
reservations call (215) 735-6000, fax (215) 790-7766.
The Warwick is located at 1701 Locust Street. It is within walking distance
of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Franklin Court, and the Betsy Ross
House. The Philadelphia Zoo is 20 minutes away.
REGISTRATION
$250 per person for all sessions Saturday and Sunday.
$125 per STUDENT for all sessions Saturday and Sunday.
$125 per person for DAY admission on only Saturday or Sunday.
BANQUET is $30 per person Saturday night, Feb. 27.
CREDIT CARD ORDERS MAY CALL TOLL FREE 1800-634-1610 OR FAX TO 716-636-1733.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT BARRY KARR AT 716-636-1425 X217 OR EMAIL
SKEPTINQ@AOL.COM
The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine (SRAM) is a peer-reviewed
medical journal dedicated to providing scientific, rational evaluations of
unconventional health claims. Its purpose is to apply the best tools of
science and reason to determine the validity and effectiveness of treatments.
It will dismiss no claim a priori, but consider it on its own merits. It will
reject no claim because it fits, or fails to fit, some paradigm. It will,
using scientific methods and reasonable criteria, seek justified answers to
two questions: "Is it true?" and "Does this treatment work?" SRAM is
sponsored by the Council for Scientific Medicine.
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