Two Australian scientists, Dr Robin Warren and Dr Barry Marshall won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2005 for their pioneering cure of peptic ulcers. What is most revealing about ‘established science’ is that these gifted and dedicated doctors had made this discovery in 1982. Establish orthodoxy moves at a snail’s pace when confronted with unorthodoxy.
The ‘settled science’ of peptic ulcers for decades was based on gastric samplings that showed an acidic or lower pH than normal. This indicated that the patient obviously had a dietary imbalance, best cured by alkaline tinctures, or curiously enough, dairy products which were themselves acidic. It is inexplicable that the science community clung to this false premise for so long.
What Warren/Marshall research was able to show was that the bacterium, H. Pylori, was the cause of the ulcer and the increased acid was from the bacteria’s waste. Millions suffered needlessly for decades while ‘experts’ dithered and obstructed this important medical breakthrough.
The established experts were unable to accept the overwhelming evidence of successful treatment based on this theory. To prove his findings, the courageous Dr Marshall infected himself with H. Pylori and then cured himself with his own antibiotic treatment. It is the determined skeptic that delivers the hope and promise of science to humanity.
Given the low level of the lay public’s understanding of science, it is a real challenge to provide meaningful debate to the established leadership and not over-reach the populace. Along with the restraints of article brevity, all concepts must be simplified and each article self supporting. This articles is best viewed in context with the previous companion article.