The hidden world of medical racism in the United States

The hidden world of medical racism in the United States: "The idea that discredited, repugnant ideas about racial differences might play a role in medical diagnoses and treatment today is one that doctors ought to find profoundly disturbing. The racially biased treatment of patients is a grievous violation of medical ethics and a direct threat to the dignity of the profession.

But over the past two decades, American medical literature has published hundreds of peer-reviewed studies that point to racially-motivated decisions by physicians that may do serious medical harm. The principal result of these studies has simply been more studies of the same kind."

'via Blog this'

Remove industry bias from clinical trials before it's too late

Remove industry bias from clinical trials before it's too late: "A study published today shows that clinical trials with industry sponsorship report greater benefits and fewer harmful side effects. In the discussion, the authors note that most reviews and guidelines don’t report the funding sources for the included trials."

'via Blog this'

BioEdge: Leveson Inquiry recommends reform of science reporting

BioEdge: Leveson Inquiry recommends reform of science reporting: "Remember patients: don't call something a "cure" that is not a cure."

'via Blog this'

BioEdge: The ultimate hot potato: female genital mutilation is not as bad as it seems

BioEdge: The ultimate hot potato: female genital mutilation is not as bad as it seems: "The authors’ aim is to "move the coverage of the topic from an over-heated, ideologically charged, and one-sided story about 'mutilation,' morbidity, and patriarchal oppression to a real, evidence-based policy debate governed by the standards of critical reason and fact checking."

The claims and counter-claims are too long to list. But the authors – about 15 of them, mostly from Western countries – make the following points about female genital mutilation (or “female genital surgery”, as they call it)"

Provocatively, the authors argue that women and girls who have undergone genital mutilation should not be stigmatized or taught to expect sexual dysfunction. This might cause “psychological mutilation", potentially compromising the development of a normal and healthy psychosexual life.