Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong, and What It Means for Our Health

by Marty Makary

Dr. Buckley recognized that it violated a basic principle of immunology known as immune tolerance: the body’s natural way of accepting foreign molecules present early in life. It’s like the dirt theory, whereby

Iatrogenic - recommendations from aap made things worse more fundamental - body is complex and needs variety of inputs when young to self program

Avoiding peanuts had been the correct answer on medical school tests and board exams, which were written and administered by the American Board of Pediatrics.

Elites push their thinking

We need to constantly maintain a willingness to be open-minded, even if we are deeply invested in a particular belief or position. Doing

We ALL need to be. incl me

I like to think my research students and fellows appreciate the directness, but it can come off as hubris.

Hubris or directness

“Always consider risks that are known and risks that are unknown,” he said while talking to me about the HIV outbreak.

Do i do that?

Those who hold power are often in their position because they built a career around an idea. They have a vested interest in preserving that idea and reminding people how important it is, even when a better one comes along.

Good point

Many great scientists came to realize that getting people to believe their ideas would be harder than they had expected. They learned that implementation science (convincing people to adopt new things) is harder than discovery science.

Implementation Science vs discovery science

Good leaders are keenly aware that their past achievements will someday be replaced. Rather than fight this inevitable process of progress, they embrace it, even encouraging others to challenge them.

Good behavior

I am providing recommendations involving clinical medicine, they will be based on evidence that is accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their indications and contraindications in the care of patients. All scientific research referred to will conform to the generally accepted standard

Problem is quackery or conformity? Or both?

At the core of the Royal Society’s mission is its motto, Nullius in verba, which means “Take nobody’s word for

Nullius in verba