A group of 10 physicians from across the country emailed a plea to Columbia University expressing disappointment and disapproval that Dr. Mehmet Oz is on the faculty.
The group of doctors said they were “surprised and dismayed” that the doctor who has risen to fame by purporting half-truths and blatantly false informed holds a senior position within the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Among other things, the group of doctors claim that Dr. Oz has “an egregious lack of integrity by promoting quack treatments and cures in the interest of personal financial gain,” and they say he’s routinely displayed a “disdain for science and for evidence-based medicine.”
Claims First Amendment Right
Dr. Oz responded to critics in a preview clip of today’s show, citing his First Amendment rights to spread misinformation and lies.
“I know I’ve irritated some potential allies in our quest to make America healthy,” Dr. Oz said. “No matter our disagreements, freedom of speech is the most fundamental right we have as Americans. And these ten doctors are trying to silence that right.”
Now, I have a few close friends who are criminal defense lawyers, so I’m pretty versed in the protections guaranteed by the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. The problem here is that the doctors who complained about Dr. Oz aren’t saying he needs to be silenced, they are simply saying that as an influential professional, he needs to be held accountable for his actions.
As a fellow medical professional, it’s seriously disheartening to see a person put financial gain before the well-being of his patients. Touting false information so people will try the newest fad diet pill is just as bad as doctors who routinely order unnecessary MRIs or surgical operations. We didn’t choose this profession to get rich. We chose this profession and we took an oath to try to provide the best care possible for individuals in need of care.
At least some of us did.
Related source: NYMag.com Washington Post, CNN