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From religion to law, ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ symposium explores myriad implications of medicine’s new age

Complementary and alternative medicine – or CAM – has its roots in ancient traditions, but with therapies such as acupuncture and yoga now gaining increasing favour in the the world of modern medicine, what are the implications?

A group of experts from a variety of disciplines will try to answer that question at a symposium titled Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Medical, Legal, Religious and Multicultural Implications. Co-sponsored by ±«ÓãÖ±²¥â€™s Centre for Research on Religion and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the symposium will take place Friday, May 9, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Faculty Club, 3450 McTavish St.

The symposium will begin with presentations from three keynote speakers, after which panel discussions will address the topics of their presentations.

Keynote speakers:

David Colquhoun, an eminent UK scientist and noted skeptic. Dr. Colquhoun is a professor of pharmacology at University College London, a fellow of the Royal Society and blogger (Improbable Science);

Michael H. Cohen, a lawyer and professor at Harvard School of Public Health and the author of many books on legal, regulatory and ethical problems arising from complementary and alternative medicine;

Katherine K. Young, James ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Professor in the Faculty of Religious Studies at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥, who publishes in the areas of Hinduism, comparative religion, comparative ethics and gender.

Panelists are ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ professors Maurice Boutin and Arvind Sharma, Faculty of Religious Studies; Allan Young, Department of Social Studies of Medicine; and Joe Schwarcz, director of ±«ÓãÖ±²¥â€™s Office for Science and Society; as well as Master’s student Jordan Prokopy, Faculty of Religious Studies; and Patricia O’Rourke, a complaints commissioner with the ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ Health Centre.

Registration costs $20, or $10 for students (includes lunch). Space is limited. RSVP: 514-398-5693 or francesca.maniaci [at] mcgill.ca.