Trick or treatment? Alternative medicine on trial

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• Thursday 21 May 2009
• 7.00pm-8.30pm
• Lecturers: Dr Simon Singh Prof Edzard Ernst

Prince Charles is a staunch defender and millions of people swear by it, but most UK doctors consider alternative medicine to be little more than superstition and a waste of money. And whilst much of this 'medicine' is free on the NHS, does it really work and is it safe? Indeed, does it even matter as long as patients are satisfied with the end results? Welcome to the world of alternative medicine.

Presenting the conclusions of their book Trick or treatment?, Prof Ernst and Dr Singh rely on the large amount of scientific evidence that has been accumulated to investigate which alternative therapies are safe and effective, and which are useless and even downright dangerous. From acupuncture to homeopathy, from herbal medicine to Hopi ear candling, the speakers will also look at the origins of these therapies, their rapid growth in popularity in the West and their supposed modes of action.

Prof Ernst and Dr Singh will also discuss why so many ineffective alternative therapies have become so popular, and they will consider how those that have been shown to be effective can be incorporated within conventional medicine.

Tickets cost £8, £6 concessions, £4 Ri members