U.S., Chinese scientists to collaborate on TCM

June 19, 2008 — Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese Vice Minister of Health Wang Guoqiang to foster collaboration between scientists in both countries in research on integrative and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). 

The signing marked the opening of a two-day traditional Chinese medicine research roundtable at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The roundtable featured scientific presentations by researchers from China and the United States. Topics included the synthesis of Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, criteria for evaluating traditional Chinese medicine practices, and the application of modern scientific tools such as proteomics (the study of proteins) to the study of traditional Chinese medicine.

 “Many Americans incorporate alternative medical practices into their personal health care and are interested in the potential of a variety of traditional Chinese medicine approaches,” Secretary Leavitt said.  “This project will advance our understanding of when and how to appropriately integrate traditional Chinese medicine with Western medical approaches to improve the health of the American and Chinese people.” 

Traditional Chinese medicine involves numerous practices including acupuncture, tai chi, and herbal therapies.

 Source: Department of Health and Human Services, www.hhs.gov