Un-Mixing the Sexes
The coalition government is finalizing plans for swingeing cuts in the public sector. Nonetheless, in one part of the National Health Service costs are set to rise: for the Health Minister has confirmed that the government is …
Read MoreWhen you prick me do I not cry?
A fascinating study in the Lancet this week has suggested that a very commonly used and simple analgesic in newborn infants may not actually be preventing them from experiencing pain. The study’s authors suggest that this medicine should no…
Read MoreEnhancement – Keep the Game, Change the Basis
Paradoxically, elite sports is largely about seeking for inequality, but simultaneously trying to level the playing field in order to equalize the opponents. So, how is it possible to cultivate inequality through equality? Anti-doping activ…
Read MoreA law that should not be
In New York state last week legislators passed an extraordinary bill that, effectively, indicts the practice of New York doctors. That the bill was thought necessary, and, even more so, that it was opposed by the Medical Society of New York…
Read MoreBroken hearts and obsession, why giving up on your ex mate is so hard as overcoming drug addiction
A study recently published on the Journal of Neurophysiology investigated a group of 15 people recently abandoned by their partners to understand the process of unreciprocated love and romantic rejection. The researchers “used functional ma…
Read MoreShould doctors come clean? Religion makes a difference to end-of-life decisions
In a paper released today in the Journal of Medical Ethics, a large survey of UK doctors found that doctors’ religion influenced their views and practice of end-of-life care. Why does this matter? A number of headlines highlighted that athe…
Read MoreEthics and Economics
The failing of economics have been widely discussed in the last few years, and now Professors Kim and Yoon have suggested in the Financial Times that ‘an eminent philosopher…should be appointed to take charge of economics’ http://www.ft.com…
Read MoreCosmetic Surgery – What is the Matter with Dr Salesman?
Written by Roman Gaehwiler Reconstructive plastic surgery to correct ravages of disease and injuries as well as gross physical abnormalities constitutes a core medical practice. Reconstructive procedures, however, lie along a continuum, wit…
Read MoreThe NHS Should Make and Sell its own Homeopathic Remedies and Homeopaths Should be Paid the Minimum Wage
In March this year I blogged on the topic of NHS funding for homeopathic remedies. Even though I agreed with the critics of homeopathy, that there is no credible evidence for the efficacy of homeopathic remedies and that it is irrational to…
Read MoreNumeracy vs feel-good
Most people would agree that increasing energy efficiency is a sensible thing to do, both as a cost-saving measure, to conserve limited fossil fuels and to lower climate impacts. But being willing to save energy does not mean one is efficie…
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