TCM must adapt to scientific findings

A RECENT ESSAY published in Science Translational Medicine, a sub-journal of Science, concludes that herbal medicines that contain aristolochic acid are a main cause of liver cancer in Asia. Beijing News comments:

This is not the first time that aristolochic acid has been blamed for liver cancer. As early as the 1990s, overseas researchers found that aristolochic acid might harm human health. In 2001, the World Health Organization issued warnings about aristolochic acid because research results showed it might harm human kidneys.

This time, the China Food and Drug Administration responded in a timely manner, saying that there is no direct data in support of the claim. Its spokesperson said that aristolochic acid has already proved harmful to human kidneys, yet there is no proof that it harms the human liver. However, the CFDA promised to support deeper research into the effects of aristolochic acid on the liver, which shows its openness.