New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Matthew C. Ehrlich, "The Krebiozen Hoax: How a Mysterious Cancer Drug Shook Organized Medicine" (U Illinois Press, 2024)

Sep 11, 2024
Matthew C. Ehrlich, a journalism professor emeritus, discusses the Krebiozen hoax—a dubious cancer treatment that gained traction in the 1950s, notably championed by physiologist Andrew Ivy. They explore the drug's origins and its alarming embrace by desperate patients, despite its dubious efficacy. The conversation delves into how societal fears shape belief in misinformation and the perils of unverified medical claims that echo contemporary issues. Ehrlich sheds light on a scandal that speaks to the ongoing struggle between hope and scientific skepticism.
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