Government probes chelation-heart disease study

Still think they know what a safe "alternative" therapy is?

"The largest alternative medicine study the government has ever launched has stopped enrolling people while officials investigate whether participants were fully informed of the risks and are being adequately protected, The Associated Press has learned.

More than 1,500 heart attack survivors are involved in the research, which tests a controversial treatment called chelation. It is mainly used to treat lead poisoning.

More than two people have died, although the Miami doctor leading the study said the deaths were not a direct result of the treatments. He said he doesn't know exactly how many deaths have occurred.

He also acknowledged that some doctors who had been involved in the study have been disciplined by state boards or have criminal records and have been asked to drop out.

'We think we have a safe and ethical trial and we're protecting our patients,' said the leader, Dr. Gervasio Lamas of the University of Miami."

This is the kind of protection you can expect when you enter the sick care system - conventional or alternative.

Better to get fit than repaired.

"Fitness is the only real preventive medicine." (tm)