Academic book analyses ethics of complementary and alternative medicines

Academic book analyses ethics of complementary and alternative medicines

The moral, ethical and legal issues surrounding complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are analysed in a new book from an Abertay University expert.

Dr Kevin Smith co-authored ‘More Harm than Good?: The Moral Maze of Complementary and Alternative Medicine’ with Emeritus Professor Edzard Ernst of the University of Exeter.

The book looks at controversy surrounding such medicines and argues that ethical principles are being violated by those who provide, recommend or sell such products or services.

Analysing both academic literature and internet sources that promote CAM, the book presents a number of brief scenarios, both hypothetical and real-life, about individuals who use them.

Dr Smith, a senior lecturer at Abertay University, said the book provides a thorough and authoritative ethical analysis of CAM modalities including acupuncture, chiropractic, herbalism, and homeopathy.

He added: “This book should interest all medical professionals who have contact to complementary medicine and will be an invaluable reference for consumers and patients deliberating which course of treatment to adopt.”

Dr Smith researches and teaches in the related areas of bioethics and genetics.

He has published a number of highly regarded academic papers in medical ethics, on subjects ranging from the ethics of gene therapy to the ethics of homeopathy.

https://www.abertay.ac.uk/schools/science-engineering-and-technology/division-of-science