Current Projects
A Cross-Cultural study into the Epistemic, Socioeconomic, Political and Ethical implications of using Evidence-based Medicine to evaluate Traditional Chinese Medicine
Dr Yin Gao and Dr Bill Herfel
Dr Yin Gao is an early career researcher with interests in the philosophy of science and the foundations of medical research. She was awarded her PhD from the University of Newcastle at the end of 2005. Dr William Herfel is a Conjoint Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Science. His early work in the US focused on the philosophic implications of chaos theory. He then turned his attention to applying the concepts of complex systems theory to the scientific process itself.
Bill and Yin have teamed up – along with Dianah Rodriguez – to explore the philosophic foundations of Chinese medicine from a complex systems perspective at the ArtsHealth Centre for Research and Practice.
Their current cross-cultural study into the epistemic, socioeconomic, political and ethical implications of using evidence-based medicine to evaluate Traditional Chinese Medicine combines expertise in ancient and modern Chinese language, philosophy of complex systems, an understanding of biomedical research methods and traditional Chinese philosophy and medical practice.
The group have already had a paper published in the high-profile Journal of Chinese Philosophy and have been invited to speak in China, the US and Australia.
One aim of their research is to provide a basis for a fairer evaluation of the Chinese literature and to help build a bridge for the West to tap in resources and develop cooperation with the Chinese medical researchers and practitioners. In addition to the academic significance of such an endeavour, there is also huge practical significance in terms of articulating a unique alternative medical strategy in Australia at a time when a crisis is emerging in orthodox medicine. As well, there are industrial interests in developing new medical and pharmaceutical products, developing training programs for biomedical and TCM researchers and practitioners from here and their counterpart from PRC helping them to understand and appreciate each other’s work and to learn from each other, and developing research and practice links for Australian researchers and practitioners with their Chinese counterparts.
The project will provide a foundation for medical policy recommendations optimising the delivery of medical care (in both urban and regional areas) by intelligent integration of modern and traditional approaches. This can be best done from a cross-cultural perspective.
Start Right Live Long: The Importance of a Healthy Start to Life in Improving Health Disparities in Aboriginal Australians
Professor Roger Smith, Professor Patrick Furey, Dr Rachel Burgess, Dr Kym Rae
The current population structure of most Aboriginal communities with large numbers of premature births of small babies and teenage pregnancies is a major contributor to poor educational and health outcomes for this group within our society.
The Start Right, Live Long project aims to develop culturally appropriate programs which are aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy through in-depth education of fertility control (contraceptive usage), the concept that a healthy mother leads to a healthy baby, and an improved understanding of the role that medical care (antenatal services) play in pregnancy and early childhood development. Using innovative methods and teaching practices, project staff will deliver a strong message regarding the importance of a healthy start to life.
This project is a collaboration with the Mothers and Babies Research Centre
Microchimerism: Mother Meets Child
Professor Vicki Clifton, Dr Rachel Burgess
In Greek mythology, the Chimera is a monstrous creature which was made of the parts of multiple animals. In genetics, a chimera is an animal that has two or more different populations of genetically distinct cells that originate in different zygotes. Micochimerism is the presence of a small number of cells, genetically distinct from those of the host individual and an organ. The most common form is fetomaternal microchimerism whereby cells are exchanged between a mother and fetus during pregnancy. The cells from the mother and the child exist in the circulation and organs of each other for the rest of their lives. Fetal microchimerism has also been found in the circulation of women following elective termination and persistence is presumed after a miscarriage or induced abortion. The physical interaction between maternal cells and placental cells has never been examined.
This project will make a significant contribution to our understanding of the enduring bond between a mother and her child. The scientific findings of the study will demonstrate that this is not only a spiritual or emotional connection but a physical event. The artistic outcome will capture, complement and enhance the scientific findings through visualizing the cellular interaction of fetal and maternal cells. The combined scientific and artistic outcome will provide a new sociological insight and reassessment of our familial relationships. The resulting artworks and exhibition will enable the wider community access to this important research and the opportunity to encounter the poetic, symbolic and evocative potential of art and science.
This project is a collaboration with the Mothers and Babies Research Centre
