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Milo Anderson wrote: <<He went on to explain that all of the medical research in the US is funded by the pharmaceutical industry, and they are in it for profit.>> I would clarify: *not all medical research is so funded *they are not doing research for profit per se - most use other's research if they can get it *they will make and sell mouthwash or anything that produces profit *the costs of patenting and obtaining FDA approval with monopoly pricing are the major criterion to pursue marketing a drug Alternative medicine is the source of most drugs. the potions of shaman or healer were medicines. The drug companies find the active ingredients; and a way to manufacture that. You are probably aware of most of this. the medical doctor's expertise should remain in diagnosing as first training emphasis (after s/he learns biochemistry, biology, etc.). The costs of becoming qualified to practice medicine are high and there should be more use of others to expedite all other parts of taking care of patients - the physician should emphasize the role of diagnosis and prescribe a treatment regimen. a nurse would explain the regimen, give a copy to the patient, follow up the results until the patient is doing the needed things on his own. Each of us is responsible for knowing enough to be able to get medical attention and whatever assistance we need to live well. Eating and drinking and living well are our responsibility. Accurate knowledge of how our body-mind is faring may keep us healthy most of our life. ron 1936, dz PD 1984 Ridgecrest, California Ronald F. Vetter <[log in to unmask]> http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~rfvetter/rcpdsg.html/ (Parkinson group) http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~rfvetter/