In a debate organised by the Science Party, Bosworth MP David Tredinnick last night branded scientists who dismissed the claims of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine as racially prejudiced.
During the debate, Michael Mullaney, the Lib Dem candidate, asked Mr Tredinnick whether he regretted a statement that he had made in Parliament on 14 October last year. Mr Tredinnick had told the Health Minister that the scientists who questioned the efficacy of Chinese and Indian healthcare systems that use homeopathy and astrology and take into account the phases of the moon were “racially prejudiced”.
Mr Tredinnick said, “I do stand by those remarks.” Criticism of the efficacy of Chinese and Ayurvedic medical practices “is perceived by some people in minority communities to be racist,” Mr Tredinnick said. When pressed by Mr Mullaney about whether he shared the views of those communities, Mr Tredinnick said, “I think it’s pretty borderline at times.”
Earlier in the debate, Mr Tredinnick had singled out the contribution of Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris, who has been a strong advocate of making sure the NHS uses evidence-based medicine. “Dr Evan Harris has a bee in his bonnet against alternative medicine generally,” he said.
Dr Michael Brooks, a PhD physicist, bestselling author and Science Party candidate for Bosworth, condemned the outburst. “It is clear that, in the absence of evidence to support his views, Mr Tredinnick is resorting to the lowest form of intimidation,” Brooks said. “Suggesting that scientists are racially prejudiced for not wanting to waste taxpayers’ money on unproven treatments is unacceptable. I would urge Mr Tredinnick to issue an unreserved apology.”
Mr Tredinnick has a track record in supporting treatments and therapies that most scientists believe to be ineffective. He has suggested in Parliament that the NHS “think outside the box” and look into using radionics, a form of remote psychic healing where practitioners focus on a patient’s blood sample and send them “healing energies”.
Dr Brooks is standing against Mr Tredinnick in an attempt to increase the number of MPs who are scientifically literate. “Mr Tredinnick has consistently attempted to undermine science by repeatedly rejecting the views and conclusions of scientists,” Dr Brooks said. “He seems to think he knows better than the scientists on whose work Britain’s economy, industry and rich heritage of discovery has been built.”
Also on the debate panel was Labour candidate Rory Palmer.
Conservative MP slurs scientists as “racially prejudiced”
29 April 2010
In a debate organised by the Science Party, Bosworth MP David Tredinnick last night branded scientists who dismissed the claims of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine as racially prejudiced.
During the debate, Michael Mullaney, the Lib Dem candidate, asked Mr Tredinnick whether he regretted a statement that he had made in Parliament on 14 October last year. Mr Tredinnick had told the Health Minister that the scientists who questioned the efficacy of Chinese and Indian healthcare systems that use homeopathy and astrology and take into account the phases of the moon were “racially prejudiced” (http://bit.ly/clLIiF).
Mr Tredinnick said, “I do stand by those remarks.” Criticism of the efficacy of Chinese and Ayurvedic medical practices “is perceived by some people in minority communities to be racist,” Mr Tredinnick said. When pressed by Mr Mullaney about whether he shared the views of those communities, Mr Tredinnick said, “I think it’s pretty borderline at times.”
Earlier in the debate, Mr Tredinnick had singled out the contribution of Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris, who has been a strong advocate of making sure the NHS uses evidence-based medicine. “Dr Evan Harris has a bee in his bonnet against alternative medicine generally,” he said.
Dr Michael Brooks, a PhD physicist, bestselling author and Science Party candidate for Bosworth, condemned the outburst. “It is clear that, in the absence of evidence to support his views, Mr Tredinnick is resorting to the lowest form of intimidation,” Brooks said. “Suggesting that scientists are racially prejudiced for not wanting to waste taxpayers’ money on unproven treatments is unacceptable. I would urge Mr Tredinnick to issue an unreserved apology.”
Mr Tredinnick has a track record in supporting treatments and therapies that most scientists believe to be ineffective. He has suggested in Parliament that the NHS “think outside the box” and look into using radionics, a form of remote psychic healing where practitioners focus on a patient’s blood sample and send them “healing energies”.
Dr Brooks is standing against Mr Tredinnick in an attempt to increase the number of MPs who are scientifically literate. “Mr Tredinnick has consistently attempted to undermine science by repeatedly rejecting the views and conclusions of scientists,” Dr Brooks said. “He seems to think he knows better than the scientists on whose work Britain’s economy, industry and rich heritage of discovery has been built.”
Also on the debate panel was Labour candidate Rory Palmer.
A fuller report on the debate will be available later today at: http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/thesword/
This entry was posted on Thursday, April 29th, 2010 at 2:00 pm and is filed under Announcements.
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