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Science collective red-flags medical astrology course | India News



Breakthrough Science Society (BSS), a collective of scientists and researchers from across India, on Wednesday red-flagged the introduction of a medical astrology course announced by the National Council for Indian Systems of Medicine (NCISM).
Arguing that distant objects like planets do not affect human physiology or psychology in any way, and the knowledge of planetary placements has no medical value, BSS said such unscientific belief system incorporated into the curriculum will produce medical practitioners with an irrational bent of mind and will undermine the medical practice itself.
“The Indian education scenario has deteriorated so much that nothing seems impossible now. The most recent example is the NCISM offering a course in medical astrology in the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery programme,” BSS said in a statement.
Pointing out reports stating more than 1,000 students have registered for the said course, BSS quoted Dr Sanjeev Sharma, vice-chancellor, National Institute of Ayurveda, as having said the course would help students because “the changes in planets and constellations according to a person’s natal chart have a direct effect on the health and mind of humans.”
“Mr Sunil Kumar Sharma, chairman, the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (Delhi-chapter), welcomed the move, saying, many diseases are caused by the imbalance of vata-pitta and cough, which can be identified by studying the planetary placements. BSS asserts that astrology is a set of beliefs that have no scientific basis,” the statement read.
Reiterating that BSS favours serious scientific research to retrieve any scientific kernel that may be present within Ayurveda, it said, mixing it with the totally unscientific belief system of astrology will harm ayurveda.
“No wonder, the way Indian education is going under the present regime, many students are finding that the only chance of employment is learning such quackery … We believe this downward spiral of Indian education will damage our nation irreparably. We urge citizens not to be mere onlookers of this absurd drama but to come forward to register strong protests to protect education and scientific thinking in our country,” the statement added.


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