Columnist Considers Placebo Effect in Politics
Aug. 1 -- I feel better. Therefore I am better. Well, not quite.
The announcement by Danish researchers that the placebo effect does not exist, or at least is not as widespread as previously thought, should not have surprised as many people as it did. The natural variation in the course of a disease and the tendency for patients to get better by themselves is an adequate explanation for most instances of the apparent effect. Knowing the patient's will and beliefs isn't necessary.
When Belief Replaces Fact
Although it had nothing to do with politics, the placebo report did get me thinking of the inclination of some politicians (and of countless other people as well) to substitute their own will and beliefs for scientific fact. I believe it. Therefore it's true.
Four recent and rather disparate cases, two involving social issues and two involving major international issues, illustrate the uneasy relationship between political agendas and scientific values.
A couple of months ago a study came out maintaining that homosexuals desiring to change their sexual orientation could do so through counseling. The controversial and murky science of the question was further muddied by political undercurrents, with many conservatives intent on demonstrating that change is just a matter of will power.
The problems with the study soon became apparent, the main one being that the sample was self-selected, its participants coming largely from ex-gay ministries and other groups whose members believe homosexuality to be a developmental disorder. The scientific caveats, nuances, and conflicting research studies were initially buried, however, under a deluge of political rhetoric from all sides.
Another issue is the varying certainty of governmental officials that every convicted criminal condemned to die in our nation's prisons really is guilty. Last year Gov. Ryan of Illinois instituted a moratorium on executions in his state to study the matter when troubling evidence of numerous mistakes came to light.
