Physicians
Paul Offit and
Harriet Hall and physicist
Robert Park will tackle a variety of thorny issues in the area of “alternative medicine.” Dr. Offit is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania and is the co-inventor of a rotavirus vaccine that has been credited with saving hundreds of lives a day. He is a strong advocate for vaccination and is highly critical of the supposed association between vaccines and autism. Dr. Harriet Hall is a former Air Force physician who as “The Skep Doc” writes a regular column in Skeptic Magazine emphasizing the importance of following scientific evidence. She will discuss acupuncture and explain that this “ancient Chinese method” is not so ancient and may not even be Chinese, and that any perceived improvement from acupuncture treatment is likely due to non-specific treatment effects that have nothing to do with acupuncture points or needles. Dr. Robert Park is Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland and is the author of the widely acclaimed book “Voodoo Science.” He appears regularly on programs ranging from The Colbert Report to Dateline NBC discussing a variety of issues with witty criticisms of those who place greater emphasis on anecdote, hearsay and wishful thinking than on scientific methodology.
This presentation is now available via webcast, and on television on Canal Savoir.
