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At 07:42 PM 4/16/97 -0400, someone wrote:
>First, let's leave the president alone. Whether or not he has celiac sprue
>or a wheat allergy or whatever, it's really nobody's business but his.  I
>would be very unhappy if someone were to approach me and demand that I
>participate in their cause just because I share something in common with
>them.

The president is a public figure.  He chose the position and in doing so
placed himself in the position of public attention.  You would be right to be
unhappy if you were approached about such a thing; your privacy would
have been invaded.  The president's health, however, is a public concern.
I see nothing wrong in approaching him in a respectful way.

>We all know the
>dangers of "playing doctor" and diagnosing other people's ailments for
>them.

I don't think anyone is suggesting this.  I think listers are suggesting that
the president's medical staff do the diagnosis.  The idea is as follows:  *if*
the president suffers from CD, and *if* he is willing, *then* it would be
nice to spread the word about what many consider to be an under-
diagnosed and quietly damaging disease.

You say:
> ... the actual work of diagnosing illness is probably no
>easier now than it was 100 years ago.

And immediately follow with:
>Why shouldn't we
>have to inform ourselves about medical conditions? ... As someone with
>a science background, I feel saddened that there is such a lack of
>understanding of basic scientific principles.

I think you answered your own question before you asked it. Medicine
is complex and requires a lot of judgement.  It also involves life and
death risk.  We *should* consult professionals in addition to educating
ourselves.  I take a very active role in my health and am not a passive
patient.  I think this is the way to get the best medical care:  give and take
with my doctor, educating myself, listening to my body.  But I hired
my doctor for a reason.  I pay my doctor for his technical training,
for his experience with other patients, and for interpreting my
symptoms.  As a paid professional, I expect him to know the
questions to ask and how to answer them, insofar as science allows.

As someone with scientific training (as I have, although my field is natural
resources:  plant science and such), you should know how much time is
required to develop even a basic understanding of biologic science.  It is
unreasonable to expect everyone to a) take an interest in such a field, and
b) to invest the time to learn all about it.  That's why we have medical
professionals!  This is not an excuse for playing a passive role in ones
health; it is an explanation of our reliance on doctors.  I do not think,
as you say, that it is a lack of basic scientific knowledge that leads us to
deify doctors.  I believe it is a combination of things:  respect for the
fact that they have chosen such a difficult career (years of study, a
difficult career track, dealing with life and death issues) and the feeling
that they can help us live longer lives.  There is nothing wrong with
these perceptions.  When doctors deify *themselves*, I think you're
talking about a different issue.  Difficult to isolate, but different.

>So, let's not try to place blame, or look to
>a celebrity for solutions, but reach within ourselves for the strength to
>keep doing what we do: asking questions, looking for answers and informing
>the people around us about what we've learned. It's a proven formula for
>success, and so much more rewarding than grumbling!

I think raising awareness takes more than a handful of individuals, most of
whom had to get severely ill to be diagnosed because their condition is, as
some believe, often overlooked.  It takes someone visible, who has public
attention.  Many listers feel it would be a public service to raise awareness
of CD--since it is believed to be underdiagnosed and causes a multitude of
problems, most notably increased risk of cancer.  Grassroots efforts are
often perceived as grumbling!  But it is one of the most effective ways
to get things done.

This is not a personal attack; it is simply a different perspective--one that
is rational and considered, as is your own.

Thanks for letting me put in my own two cents!

--Stephanie (Colorado)