Questão 699726

Alternative medicine is, by definition, an alternative to

something else: modern, Western medicine. But the term

“alternative” can be misleading, even off-putting for some people.

Few practitioners of homeopathy, acupuncture,

“herbalism” and the like regard their therapies as complete

substitutes for modern medicine. Rather, they consider their

disciplines as supplementary to orthodox medicine.

The problem is that many doctors refuse even to

recognize natural or alternative medicine. But whatever doctors

may think, the demand for alternative forms of medical therapy

is stronger than ever before, as the limitations of modern medical

science become more widely understood.

Alternative therapies are often dismissed by orthodox

medicine because they are sometimes administered by people

with no formal medical training. But, in comparison with many

traditional therapies, western medicine as we know it today is a

very recent phenomenon. Until only 150 years ago, herbal

medicine and simple inorganic compounds were the most

effective treatments available.

Despite the medical establishment’s intolerant attitude,

alternative therapies are being accepted by more and more

doctors, and the World Health Organization has agreed to

promote the integration of proven, valuable, alternative

knowledge and skills in Western medicine.

Internet:<www.miguelmllop.com> (adapted).

Based on the text, judge the items below.

Most practitioners of alternative medicine believe that it is a perfect substitute for modern medicine.