GIGO

Skeptical Midwifery

When I wandered into the student union at Victoria University looking for something to eat, I found it packed with women registering for a conference.

"There's nibbles in there," one directed me. Nobly, I confessed that I wasn't with this group, but was waiting to register for another conference elsewhere on campus.

"What conference is that?", I was asked, and replied that it was the Skeptics.

"Oh we're the antithesis of them -- we're midwives," came the startling reply.I'm not sure whose reputation was impugned more, but the statement has disturbing implications for both.

For the midwives, it suggests that they are not sceptical about claims in their purview. Yet the very strength of recent advances in midwifery has been because of their strong scepticism concerning practices once accepted as received medical wisdom.

For the Skeptics, it suggests that they are seen as retarding progress by their role as active inquirers. Certainly they voice doubts concerning some of the more outlandish advice offered -- will quartz crystals really ease labour pains? However, I believe that Skeptics would strongly support the midwives' questioning which has seen the elimination of mandatory shaving and enemas, a reduction in episiotomies and a better, more autonomous birth process for many women.

Science and, indeed, society as a whole, has progressed through the actions of people not afraid to ask questions and to seek answers. It's been difficult at times. Galileo and Giordano Bruno stand testimony to that.

We need to encourage a populace which is willing to ask questions and to critically examine the answers given, whether they're looking at health strategies or the statistical and sociological implications of the way in which we elect our representatives. To do this, they have to have the basic education and background information necessary to make informed decisions.

Even more importantly, however, they must be prepared to ask questions in the first place. Apathy and blind acceptance are the enemies of us all, whether as scientists or citizens.

Vicki Hyde is the editor of New Zealand Science Monthly.