1. Did you know that the US Federal Government’s 2006 Budget includes roughly 123 million dollars for the study and promotion of alternative medicine.
   


2. Did you know that the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative medicine, which is part of the national institutes of health, funded more than 1,200 projects at some 260 research institutions last year.


3. Did you know that 62% of people in a recent survey of 31,000 Americans responded that they regularly use alternative medicine.
   


4. Did you know that the heavily promoted alternative medicine combination of glucosamine  and chondroitin is about as effect a placebo for most people with Arthritis. According to a major national study released this week headed by a University of Utah researcher.

The above was taken from the weekly Point of Inquiry podcast available free at http://www.pointofinquiry.org/?p=38 discussing the fraudulent claims made by many organizations regarding alternative medicines.

Point of Inquiry is the radio show and podcast of The Center for Inquiry a think-tank affiliated with the State University of New York at Buffallo with branches in Manhattan, Tampa and Hollywood.

Every week Point of Inquiry looks at some of the most basic beliefs of our culture focusing on three research areas. First, sudo science and the paranormal; second on what is called Alternative Medicine; third they concentrate on the intersection of religion and science in our society, on issues surrounding secularism and humanism and non-belif.

Point of Inquiry does this by drawing on The Center for Inquiries relationship with the leading minds of the day including: noble prize winning scientists, public intellectuals, social critics and thinkers and renowned entertainers.