EconTalk Jacob Stegenga on Medical Nihilism
Apr 1, 2019
Jacob Stegenga, a lecturer at Cambridge University and author of "Medical Nihilism," delves into the skepticism surrounding modern medical treatments. He argues that many interventions might not only be ineffective but may also carry severe side effects. Stegenga critiques the FDA’s approval process for exaggerating the benefits of drugs while downplaying their risks. He emphasizes the need for a more realistic understanding of medical practices, advocating for rigorous evidence-based evaluations and greater transparency in medical research.
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Medical Nihilism
- Modern medicine has seen advancements, but many interventions are ineffective or have significant downsides.
- Jacob Stegenga argues for a more nuanced view of medical progress, acknowledging both successes and limitations.
Magic Bullets
- "Magic bullets" are medical interventions that precisely target diseases with high potency, like penicillin and insulin.
- These interventions directly address the root cause of the illness with minimal side effects.
Insulin's Impact
- Before insulin, type 1 diabetes was treated with starvation therapy, leading to early death.
- Banting and Best's discovery of insulin dramatically reversed this, demonstrating its effectiveness.
