Calling all Texas skeptics! Well, at least Texas skeptics who can find their way to Galveston on March 29. The reason? Well, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston is hosting the Nicholson Round-table Integrative Lecture Series:
"Complementary and integrative medicine in cancer care -- What does the evidence show?" will be presented by Dr. Moshe A. Frenkel, founder of the integrative oncology clinic at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
He will be joined by panelists Dr. Avi B. Markowitz, chief of the division of hematology/oncology and head of the office of oncology clinical trials at the UTMB Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Dr. Victor S. Sierpina, a professor of integrative medicine at the medical branch and a UT distinguished teaching professor.
The public is invited to attend this discussion from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. March 29 in Levin Hall, Market and 10th streets.
We've met Moshe Frenkel before; as you might expect, he's a heavy hitter in the world of quackademic medicine. At least, he was back when he was the director of the Integrative Oncology Clinic at M.D. Anderson. These days he's the director of Integrative Oncology Associates. It would be very interesting to see how Dr. Frankel could handle some respectfully skeptical questions.
So what are the odds that the "What does the evidence show?" section will be answered honestly, in your opinion?
Oh, I don't think they'll lie, but that's only because they actually believe in this stuff so that there's no intentional deception.
I would recommend that if anyone does decide to attend, do your homework first. Take a look at some of the studies or "evidence" they may be likely to present to understand the arguments and identify the flaws.