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TCM must be cherished as part of traditional culture

www.chinaview.cn 2005-01-10 09:36:12

 

BEIJING, Jan. 10 -- The Chinese Government's decision to apply

for " world intangible heritage " status for Traditional Chinese

Medicine (TCM) is certainly heartening news to its practitioners,

and is a move expected to give a huge boost to the protection and

promotion of TCM.

It is reported government bodies are now working to submit an

application to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

UNESCO defines " intangible cultural heritage " as the practices,

representations, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities,

groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their

cultural heritage.

As a practice that has existed for thousands of years, TCM has

long been a part of Chinese culture, not simply a branch of medical

science.

It has lost some of its lustre since Western-style medicine was

introduced in China more than 100 years ago.

Infused with many Chinese philosophical thinkings such as

stressing a harmonious relationship between man and nature, TCM is

still viewed by some outsiders as superstitious or pseudo science.

The practice has, to some extent, given way to Western medicine

and is seen as complementary to it, or alternative.

The lack of standards and accurate statistics on ingredients and

the length of time it takes to see results are factors holding back

the development of TCM.

Many people are turning their backs on the pracitce, once the

only choice for Chinese when they fell ill.

The number of TCM clinics is dwarfed by their Western-style

counterparts, a phenomenon more acute in cities.

But the above does not necessarily suggest a gloomy future for

TCM.

TCM's remarkable track record in treating a number of chronic

diseases and severe acute respiratory syndrome, as well as its role

in combating AIDS, all indicate that TCM still has a niche.

The combination of TCM and Western-style medicines has been

proven to be effective in treating some complex ailments which are

hard to treat using just one or the other.

TCM has also become accepted in more foreign countries in recent

years, with China now having TCM agreements with 67 countries.

And its TCM exports have grown by 5.5 per cent in the past five

years.

In China, TCM holds another significance.

Generally, TCM is more cost-effective than Western-style medical

treatment, which often requires expensive equipment.

Such a cost difference may be trivial in cities, but it is

crucial in rural areas where farmers can be driven to poverty by

medical burdens.

There is still much to be learnt from this centuries-old

practice and more scientific research should be done on TCM in order

to explain its seemingly magical effects in a more scientific way,

thus making it more acceptable in medical terms.

It is hoped that government's bidding to add it to the list of

intangible heritage will promote our awareness of this rich resource

that we have long taken for granted.

TCM, as a part of our culture, should be cherished, be it listed

or not.

But getting listed is not an automatic guarantee that this

precious heritage will be well protected.

A case in point is the damage done to some world heritage sites

after getting the much-coveted status.

The best way to protect TCM from being marginalized is to

develop and popularize it.

The success of preserving this centuries-old traditional

practice rests not only on its own development, but also on our

sense of mission.

When knowing the possible loss of TCM is much more than just a

loss of an alternative medical treatment, but a part of our

cherished culture, we have every reason to care for its future.

Whether TCM will be listed or not, we are duty-bound to pass on

this sometimes mysterious yet magic part of culture to following

generations.

(Source: China Daily)