news review 3 placebo prescriptions are rife


Over half of US GPs and rheumatologists admitted prescribing ‘placebo treatments’ to some of their patients, in a recent survey. More than 62% believed this was ethical. They rarely called these treatments ‘placebos’, instead referring to them as ‘a potentially beneficial medicine or treatment not typically used for their condition’. However, a 2006 American Medical Association statement reads, ‘Physicians may use placebo for diagnosis or treatment only if the patient is informed of and agrees to its use’.


Most placebos were innocuous vitamins and over the counter analgesics, but antibiotics and sedatives were also prescribed by 13% of doctors surveyed. The use of placebo treatments remains a controversial topic for ethical and policy debates. While it may be physically beneficial for patients, this practice is paternalistic and jeopardises patient trust. (medicalnewstoday.com 2008; 25 October)


religion, pain and depression


Two recent studies explore the link between religion and health. The first, from Oxford University, addressed pain perception. When Catholics and ‘non-believers’ were subjected to electric shocks, Catholics experienced 12% less pain than the group of atheists and agnostics when viewing an image of the Virgin Mary. Brain scans showed that the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex was more active in Catholics. They engaged a ‘brain mechanism that is well known from research into the placebo effect, analgesia and emotional disengagement’, said the lead researcher. It ‘helps people to reinterpret pain, and make it less threatening.’


14


An American study looked at religiosity and the risk of depression. Individuals with a higher level of religious well-being were 1.5 times more likely to have had depression than those with lower levels of religious well-being. The authors, surprised by the findings, suggested that this could be due to people with depression using religion as a coping mechanism. Consequently, depression is linked to praying more. (guardian.co.uk 2008; 1 October, medicalnewstoday 2008; 24 October)


evolution is complete?


Human evolution remains a controversial theory. But for those who believe it, it may be coming to an end in humans for three reasons, according to Steve Jones, Professor of Genetics at University College London. ‘In ancient times half our children would have died by the age of 20. Now, in the Western world, 98% of them are surviving to the age of 21...Natural selection no longer has death as a handy tool.’


Secondly, there is less potential for random alterations to our genetic blueprint. ‘…The mean age of male reproduction means that most conceive no children after the age of 35,’ said Professor Jones. ‘Fewer older fathers means that if anything, mutation is going down.’


Thirdly, ‘Small populations which are isolated can…evolve at random as genes are accidentally lost. Worldwide, all populations are becoming connected and the opportunity for random change is dwindling.’ (independent.co.uk 2008; 7 October, telegraph.co.uk 2008; 7 October)


Jenny Chui, Sarah MacLean, Rachael Pickering, Peter Saunders, Sheldon Zhang


nucleus christmas ‘08


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44