Opinion: STAT readers on Elizabeth Holmes, cancer screening, and more — SkimNews
Get the Health newsletter
Daily health & science — research, biotech, public health, the studies worth knowing. Free.
- Kent Zimmerman, M.D. argues Theranos's economic model was doomed, citing that its finger-stick method yields insufficient blood for repeat tests and that self-directed testing does not fit the insurance-based U.S. healthcare system.
- Beret E. Strong, a documentary filmmaker, questions the ethics of a new film about Elizabeth Holmes, suggesting filmmakers can be manipulated by their subjects and that ambiguity in storytelling is acceptable.
- Katherine Reed defends the Holmes documentary as a deep exploration of deceit and how a 'consummate liar' is made, contrasting with whistleblower Tyler Shultz's desire for a focus on her crimes.
- Jeanne McDonough-Jarvis agrees with an essay on medication non-adherence, highlighting that psychological factors like a loss of control are often overlooked by clinicians who assume non-compliance stems from cost or misunderstanding.
- Paul A. Delaney, M.D. criticizes an opinion promoting integrative oncology, accusing it of a 'bait-and-switch' by citing evidence-based therapies like yoga while making unsupported claims for undemonstrated 'biofield' therapies like reiki.
Why it matters: The detailed critique from a retired lab director exposes foundational flaws in Theranos beyond its fraudulent device, highlighting systemic barriers for direct-to-consumer health tech. For patients, the discussion on medication adherence reveals a critical gap in clinical understanding that affects long-term health outcomes.
Ask SkimNews
