New Millenium Medicine: Alternative or Genetic?   With panellists Professor John Shine and Mr Alan Bensoussan Compered by Dr Paul Willis Wednesday, August 30th 2000, 7:00-9:00pm Harlequin Inn, 152 Harris Street, Pyrmont, Sydney Science in the Pub joins the Australian Biotechnology Association to take a look at the future of medicine. On the one hand medical technology is becoming more and more sophisticated. On the other hand we have increasing access to indigenous medicines from around the world (facilitated by travel and growing cultural exchange). Many of these indigenous medicines have a lot to offer-in some cultures they form a key part of the public health system (e.g. traditional Chinese medicine). Research is now demonstrating the effectiveness of some of these practices. Healthcare consumers are benefiting from diverse and informed choices. Which way will it go? Medicine in the first half of the next millennium will be eclectic -  using the best of cutting edge technology alongside the prudence of historically proven (indigenous) techniques. Greater consideration will be given to the relationship between mind and body. Medicine in the second half of the next millennium will be energic. Forget the pills, forget the herbs, there will be no need to be so crudely physical. The walk-in walk-out health system will have truly arrived.  Imagine the CT-scan or X-ray machine as a therapeutic rather than diagnostic device! John Shine and  Alan Bensoussan will attempt to find the answer to this and many more questions. Our scintillating Science in the Pub compere, Dr Paul Willis-ABC Quantum's reporter-will lead the discussion. John Shine obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from the ANU in 1975. During the course of his PhD studies he discovered the sequences in ribosomal RNA (now listed in biology text-books as the "Shine-Dalgarno" sequence) responsible for the initiation and termination of protein-synthesis. He was awarded a CSIRO Postdoctoral Scholarship and took up an appointment at the University of California, San Francisco, where he was instrumental in the development of many of the techniques of genetic engineering. He was a central figure in the cloning of the insulin and growth hormone genes and was the first to clone a human hormone gene. He also determined the first sequence responsible for replication of an oncogenic retrovirus. Following his return to Australia in 1978 John continued work in gene cloning at the ANU where was responsible for cloning the b-endorphin gene (the body's natural morphine) and was the first to demonstrate that hormone genes cloned in bacteria could be expressed in a biologically active form. His work extended to the cloning of relaxin and a highly successful approach to the cloning of genes involved in plant-bacterial symbiotic N2 fixation. John was also responsible for the cloning of the human renin gene which opened up the way to develop renin inhibitors, a new class of therapeutics for the control of blood pressure. In 1980 he was awarded the Boehringer-Mannheim Medal by the Australian Biochemical Society and in 1982 the Gottschalk Medal for distinguished research in biological sciences by the Australian Academy of Science. He was elected a Fellow of the Academy in 1994 and made an Officer in the Order of Australia in 1996. A lan Bensoussan has been in clinical practice in traditional Chinese medicine for 18 years. In 1995 he established the Research Unit for Complementary Medicine at the University of Western Sydney, and now heads the university's Chinese medicine program. His research in Chinese medicine is widely reported. He acts in an advisory capacity to both government and industry, and has served as a short-term consultant on traditional medicines to the World Health Organisation. (He sits on a number of relevant committees and boards including as an expert panel member on the TGA's Complementary Medicines Evaluation Committee, and the international editorial boards of three journals.) He has published two books including a major government report on the practice of traditional Chinese medicine in Australia, which in part, has resulted in the recent passage of the Victorian government Chinese medicine practitioner registration bill. Alan is a keen promoter of well-evidenced complementary medicine treatments. is Executive Director of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Professor of both Medicine and Molecular Biology at UNSW. True to the tradition of Science in the Pub, both John and Alan present their 'abstract' in verse: From John: Genetics and alternative medicine The answer's in our genes, for sure, From cancer, obesity to being a bore. But many won't believe this truth, and are amiss, For like religious zealots, logic they dismiss. Instead they go to extracts–for which they're charged a fee– From poppies, bees and especially, the odd exotic tree. Such remedies are "natural", it's claimed, And mystical forces, for disease, are blamed. While natural they could be called, as he or she believes, This only can apply if you are made from roots and leaves. and from Alan Medicine Y3K One thousand more years of medical technology, will see new drugs that improve longevity. Grace the wisdom of the human gene, and better understanding of the human bein', Alternative medicines link mind and body, and teach to treat in a fashion quite wholly. For body and mind are no longer apart, and healing viewed as both science and art. One thousand more years of improved diagnosis, will see early intervention and better prognosis. New gizmos, gadgets and machines that go'beep', To replace drugs and surgery and heal you a treat. But the news–it ain't all sweet, gene technology is not such a feat. Cloning, not therapy, is given seniority, bringing to question the ethical priority. One thousand more years of medical technology, may see the death of crude herbology. But forever will remain choice and diversity, despite medicos thinking it total perversity. Y3K medicine although quite electric, will forever, remain eclectic. Science in the PubTM is an initiative of the Australian Science Communicators (NSW). Regular sessions are staged from 7.00-9.00 pm on the last Wednesday of every even month (February - October) at the Harlequin Inn, 152 Harris Street, Pyrmont in Sydney. We can organise Science in YOUR Pub anywhere in Australia, or the world! Please contact Robyn Stutchbury, phone: 02 9427 6747; fax: 02 9427 6767; email: Robyn Stutchbury on rstutch@bigpond.net.au.  Visit our website at http://www.scienceinthepub.com/.  Admission costs $5 worth of raffle tickets, your chance to win one of many excellent prizes!   Future Science in the Pub sessions (see the website for full details): Monday 11 September, Olympic Media Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney. 12.45–14.45. "Foster's Aussie Pub". Science in the Pub takes a look at Aussie culture for our overseas visitors. Wednesday 25 October, Harlequin Inn, Sydney.  7.00 Ð 9.00 pm. A session in collaboration with the British Council, featuring Professor Brian Wynne, Research Director of the Centre for the Study of Environmental Change and Chair of the Centre for Science Studies at the University of Lancaster in England. The second panellist is to be confirmed, and I can promise that it will be a very exciting session. Watch our website for the announcement! Friday 27 October, Imperial Hotel, Coonabarabran. 7.00–9.00 pm 'Astronomy's looking up - but where to?' With optical/infrared astronomer Michael Burton and radio astronomer Ray Norris, and compered by Wilson da Silva. This event takes place during the yearly AstroFest at Coonabarabran. If you want to make a weekend of it, on Sunday October 29, at Coonabarabran High School, there will be the annual Bok Lecture, given by eminent astro-photographer David Malin, followed by a special edition of 'Starry Starry Night'.
Science in the Pub™, © 2000. Stutchbury, R, Burton, M.