This piece of article by Mr. Arun Maira,(The Pakistan-born British Indian ex-planning commission member) is a real eye-opener in the manner we have understood science. All socially conscious scientists must-read. (If properly appreciated, the 15 minutes you are going to spend on this is worth the time of one full semester in economics at a top-notch university )
Was the past perfect? & Will the future be tense?
No is the answer to both questions. Noble prizes are increasingly given for some soul-searching simple researches. Complex research methodology is looked down on, especially in economics. Contributors of simple observational studies bordering on common sense shall be rewarded. Incidentally, this year’s physics prize was also different from other years (Given for finding faultlines in working models of climate change). It is heartening to note the shift in thinking and points to good times for true science. We have finally started to question the genuineness in the foundations of existing research models and epistemological purity of knowledge.Very soon, major global awards are waiting for the Innocuous looking amateurish research that is willing to expose trivia and the flawed understanding of science itself.
High stakes in the noble profession
Now, this has major Implications in the terrain of medical practice, a fragile scientific art that is dangling between facts and fakes, uncertainties of nature & certainty of greedy monetization, social inequalities, and finally the stupidity of half-baked knowledge.
I strongly believe the following two concepts if proven properly deserve the Nobel prize in medicine or economics with a huge Implication for humankind.
1. In the global health care delivery, nurses and para-medical health workers have a multi-fold positive impact on universal health goals than the highly specialized doctors, who are at best have a minuscule role. There should be intensive restudy of their actual requirements and redefining doctor vs nurse vs population ratio (What a big revelation, even a novice can say this, but that is exactly is the reason which makes it eligible for the Nobel award)
2. Specific treatment modalities are either lacking or trail behind the hyped-up diagnostic methods for a good number of illnesses. They are not only redundant but also malignantly consume the global economic resources without a real purpose. What is the big deal of accurately diagnosing and labeling a disease if there is no treatment? (Typical example in recent times,100s of millions of costly RTPCR tests are Indiscriminately used for an incurable self behaving pandemic).
Who is willing to do the above studies? I wish WHO can sponsor this. Research questions, methods, statistics, and even conclusions are ready with 100% accuracy, I am sure, they will withstand any rigorous scientific scrutiny. Though every Tom, Dick & Harry can do this research from any academic garage, the chances of it getting noticed by Karolinska institute is low, unless It comes from an Ivy League or an elite European university. When someone receives this coveted award down the lane of time, hope this cranky post gets some credit.
Reference
Dr.S.Venkatesan MD 