Alternative medicine Quote by Richard Dawkins
“If any remedy is tested under controlled scientific conditions and proved to be effective, it will cease to be alternative and will simply become medicine. So-called alternative medicine either hasn't been tested or it has failed its tests.”
About This Quote
Scientific validation transforms a practice from 'alternative' to mainstream medicine; untested or failed methods remain outside accepted care.
In simple terms: Evidence defines legitimate medicine.
Testing separates effective treatments from pseudoscience.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Evaluating new therapies
- Regulatory review
- Patient decision-making
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- Guiding policy on health interventions
- Educating clinicians on evidence standards
Questions to Reflect On
- How does evidence shape public trust in medicine?
- What are the risks of endorsing untested treatments?