SCIENCE IN THE NEWS - American Doctors Admit Giving Placebos to Patients
科学新闻——美国医生允许给病人服用安慰剂
By Brianna Blake and George Grow / Broadcast: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:00:00 UTC
Brianna Blake and George Grow撰写/广播时间： 2008年1月21日，星期一，16时
VOICE ONE:
声音1：
This is SCIENCE IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English. I'm Bob Doughty.
这是美国之音特别英语的科学新闻。我是Bob Doughty。
VOICE TWO:
声音2：
And I'm Faith Lapidus. On our program this week, we will tell about a study of medications that do not contain any real drugs. We will tell about a reported link between the September eleventh terrorist attacks and heart problems in some Americans. And, we explain how happiness may be good for your health.
我是Faith Lapidus。本周节目中我们讲述一项并不涉及真正药物的医药研究。我们也将讲述一个被报道的9.11恐怖袭击和一些美国人的心脏病之间的联系。我们还会解释为什么快乐会对你的健康有益。
(MUSIC)
（音乐）
VOICE ONE:
声音1：
Can thinking that you are receiving medication improve your health? A new study shows doctors in the United States ordered placebo treatments more commonly than patients were told. Placebos look like medicines, but contain no real drugs. They also have no proven effect on health. The study found that many of the doctors believed in what is called the mind-body connection. In other words, your body will react to the way you act, think and feel.
想象你正在服药到底能不能改善你的健康？一项新的研究显示美国的医生给予病人安慰剂治疗比病人知道的情况更加平常。安慰剂外观像药，但是并不包含真正的药物成分。据证实它们对健康并没有影响。研究发现很多医生相信精神和肉体存在联系。换句话说，你的身体会对你行为、思考、感觉的方式作出反应。
VOICE TWO:
声音2：
Sometimes just the expectation of getting better can help in reducing pain or improving health. This widely known theory is called the placebo effect. It suggests a healing power in medicines that are not real. Commonly used placebos include vitamins or small amounts of medicine.
有时，仅仅是对好转的期待就能够有助于减轻疼痛或改善健康。这个众所周知的理论被称为安慰剂效应。这表明了药物有一种看不见的使人康复的力量。经常使用的安慰剂包括维生素或小剂量的药物。
Placebos are often used in medical research to compare the effects of real drugs on patients with those taking
placebos. Often, the patients taking placebos show some improvement. But how often do patients not involved in medical studies receive placebos from their doctor?
安慰剂经常在药物研究中用来比较真正药物和安慰剂对病人的影响。服用安慰剂的病人看起来常常会有些好转。但是和医学研究无关的病人从医生那得到安慰剂的频率是多少？
VOICE ONE:
声音1：
Researchers at the University of Chicago asked more than four hundred doctors if they have ever given a placebo to a patient. All those asked work in the Chicago, Illinois area. Almost half of the two hundred thirty-one doctors who answered said they had used placebos with patients at some time. Of those who had ordered placebos for patients, more than half had done so within the past year.
芝加哥大学的研究人员询问了400多位医生是否给病人开过安慰剂。所有的被询问者都是在芝加哥的伊利诺斯地区工作。给予回答的231位医生中有一半说他们曾经给病人用过安慰剂。在给病人开过安慰剂的医生中，多于一半是在过去的半年之内。
The doctors gave several reasons for their use of placebos. Some said they used them to help calm a patient, or in answer to demands for medicine that the doctor felt was not needed. Others said they had ordered placebos for their patients after all other treatments had failed.
医生们对于他们使用安慰剂给了几个理由。一些说他们用来让病人安静下来，或者作为他们认为不需要但被要求开药的答复。其他人说他们在所有治疗都失败之后给病人开安慰剂。
Ninety-six percent of the doctors who answered said they believed that placebos could have helpful effects. But twelve percent said they believe the use of placebos should be banned in traditional medical care. Many feel giving a patient a placebo is like lying to them.
给予回答的医生有96%说他们相信安慰剂会有有益的效果。但是12%说他们相信安慰剂的使用应该在传统的医疗护理中被禁止。很多人觉得给病人安慰剂像是在欺骗他们。
VOICE TWO:
声音2:
It is a commonly accepted ethical belief that patients have a right to know and understand the medical treatment they are receiving. Among the doctors who used placebos, one in five said they lied to patients and told them a placebo was medication. More often, doctors used creative ways to explain the treatment being used. About one third of doctors who used placebos described them to patients as something that may help, but would not harm them. Four percent of the doctors said they inform their patients when they are receiving placebos.
病人有权知道和了解他们所接受的医疗措施，这是被广泛接受的伦理信念。在使用安慰剂的医生中，五分之一的人说他们对病人说谎，告诉他们安慰剂是药。更加平常的是医生们使用创造性的方式去解释正在施用的治疗。用过安慰剂的医生大约有三分之一向病人描述安慰剂是可能有益的东西，但肯定不会有害。4%的医生说他们会在病人使用安慰剂的时候告诉他们。
The American Medical Association says a doctor should only use a placebo if the patient is told, and agrees to it. Medical student Rachel Sherman helped to organize the study. She says a simple method is to ask all new patients for their permission to use placebos. Then they do not know which medications are placebos and which are not.
美国医学协会说医生应该在病人被告知并且同意的情况下使用安慰剂。医学学生Rachel Sherman帮助组织研究。他说一个简单的方法是询问所有新的病人是否同意使用安慰剂。然而他们不知道哪个是安慰剂。
(MUSIC)
（音乐）
VOICE ONE:
声音1：
You are listening to the VOA Special English program SCIENCE IN THE NEWS. With Faith Lapidus I'm Bob Doughty in Washington.
您正在收听美国之音特别英语的科学新闻。我是Bob Doughty，和Faith Lapidus一起在华盛顿。
(MUSIC)
（音乐）
A new study has linked heart problems in some Americans to how they felt after the terrorist attacks against the United States in two thousand one. Researchers say the study shows the physical effects of mental and emotional tension -- a condition known as stress. Americans who said they became worried and experienced stress after the attacks had higher rates of heart disease. Results of the study were published this month in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
一项新的研究将一些美国人的心脏病和2001年针对美国的恐怖袭击过后他们的感觉联系了起来。研究人员说结果显示了精神和情感紧张——称作压力的状况——产生的身体影响。在袭击后感觉担忧和经受压力的美国人患心脏疾病的几率更高。研究的结果在普通精神病学文献杂志上发表。
VOICE TWO:
声音2：
On September eleventh, two thousand one, terrorists hijacked four American passenger airplanes. The hijackers flew two of the planes into New York City's World Trade Center. A third hit the headquarters of the American Defense Department, near Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed in a field in the state of Pennsylvania. In all, about three thousand people from ninety countries were killed in the September eleventh attacks.
在2001年9月11日，穆斯林恐怖分子劫持了四架美国客机。劫机者开着其中两架飞机撞上了纽约世贸大厦。第三架撞上了靠近华盛顿特区的美国国防部总部。第四架在宾夕法尼亚州的地面坠毁。在9.11袭击中总共有来自90个国家的大约3000人死亡。
VOICE ONE:
声音1：
The new study involved almost two thousand adult Americans from across the country. Most of them had answered questions about their health on the Internet before the attacks. They answered more questions online from nine to fourteen days after the attacks. They answered additional questions for the study every year until late two thousand four.
新的研究涉及来自美国2000成年人。袭击之前，他们中的大多数在网上回答过关于他们健康的问题。袭击之后的9到14天里，他们在线回答了更多的问题。直到2004年底他们还回答了关于这项研究的额外的问题。
Many of those questioned had seen television reports about the terrorist attacks. But they had no direct connection to what happened.
很多被询问者都看过恐怖袭击的电视报道。但是他们跟发生的一切没有直接的关系。
The study found that about twenty-two percent of the people said they had a heart problem before September eleventh. Three years after the attacks, about thirty-one percent reported having heart problems. Researchers said those who suffered stress because of the attacks had a fifty-three percent increased risk of heart disease.
研究发现，22%的人说他们在9.11前有心脏病。袭击三年之后，报道说有31%有了心脏病。研究人员说，那些因为袭击承受压力的人患心脏病的风险高了53%。
VOICE TWO:
声音2：
The lead researcher was Alison Holman of the University of California at Irvine. She says people who reported high levels of stress were more than two times as likely to have high blood pressure one year after the attacks. Miz Holman said they also were more than three times as likely to have heart problems two years after the attacks. The results did not change, even when her team considered other things that can cause heart problems, like cigarette smoking and being overweight.
带头的研究者是加州大学欧文分校的Alison Holman。她说被报道承受高压的人在袭击一年之后患高血压的可能要高两倍多。Miz Holman说他们在袭击两年之后患心脏病的可能要高三倍多。研究结果很稳定，即使他们考虑了可能引起心脏病的其它原因，比如吸烟和肥胖。
Other researchers questioned the findings. Some noted that people are more likely to develop heart problems as they grow older.
另外一些研究人员质疑这些发现。一些人指出，人们随着年龄增长患心脏病的可能就会更大。
(MUSIC)
（音乐）
VOICE ONE:
声音1：
A British study has confirmed that happiness can be good for your health. The study found that women who reported feeling happy were also in better health than men and other women. The happy women had lower levels of two proteins linked to health problems like heart disease and cancer.
一项英国的研究证实快乐有益健康。研究发现，被报道感觉快乐的女人也会比男人和其它女人拥有更好的身体。快乐的女人身体中一种和健康问题比如心脏病和肿瘤有关的蛋白质水平更低。
The results were published this month in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
这项结果在本月的美国流行病学杂志上发表。
VOICE TWO:
声音2：
The study involved almost three thousand British adults. Research scientists from University College London collected saliva from the mouths of the men and women six times on a single day. The people recorded how they felt at the time the saliva was removed. They noted if they felt happy, excited or peaceful.
这项研究涉及大约3000名英国成年人。来自伦敦大学学院的研究科学家们一天中六次收集了男人和女人口中的唾液。也记录了这些人在取唾液的时候他们的感觉。他们记录了是否感觉快乐、激动或平静。
On another day, the researchers tested the adult volunteers for proteins called C-reactive protein and interleukin six. Other studies have linked the two proteins to heart disease and cancer.
另一天，研究人员检测了成年志愿者的叫做C反应蛋白和细胞白介素6的蛋白质。有其它研究认为这两种蛋白和心脏病和癌症有关。
VOICE ONE:
声音1：
The researchers tested all the fluids for levels of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is known as a "stress" hormone. It is produced when we are worried, tense or afraid. Cortisol provides energy during periods of physical, mental or emotional pressure. However, scientists have become concerned about the hormone's long-term effects on our health. Evidence shows that when cortisol is in the body for extended periods it weakens bones and damages nerve cells in the brain. It also can weaken the body's natural defenses against disease. High cortisol levels have also been linked to high blood pressure and weight gain in the stomach or abdomen.
研究人员检测了所有唾液中的激素皮质醇的水平。已知皮质醇是一种“压力”激素。当我们焦虑、紧张或害怕的时候便会产生它。然而，科学家们开始对激素对我们的健康产生的长期影响感兴趣。有证据显示，当皮质醇长时间在体内存在，它会削弱骨骼和损害脑中的神经细胞。它也能减弱身体对疾病天然的抵抗力。高皮质醇水平也和高血压、胃肠增重有关。
VOICE TWO:
声音2：
The British study found that men and women who reported feeling happy had lower than average cortisol levels. The study also found a link among women between happiness and low levels of the proteins. But the study failed to find such a link in men. The reason for the difference is not clear.
这项英国的研究发现被报道感觉快乐的男人和女人有低于平均水平的皮质醇水平。研究也发现在女性中快乐和低的蛋白质水平之间有联系。但是在男性中没有发现这种联系。该差异的原因还不清楚。
Andrew Steptoe of University College London led the researchers. He said the study is the first to demonstrate the importance of C-reactive protein and interleukin six. He also said the findings add to evidence that happiness and other good feelings are connected with biological reactions that protect our health.
伦敦大学学院的Andrew Steptoe领导这些研究人员。他说这项研究首次展示了C反应蛋白和细胞白介素的重要性。他还说这些发现也给快乐以及其它美好的感觉和保护我们健康的生理反应有联系提供了更多的证据。
(MUSIC)
（音乐）
VOICE ONE:
声音1：
This SCIENCE IN THE NEWS was written by Brianna Blake and George Grow. Our producer was Brianna Blake. I'm
Bob Doughty.
本期科学新闻是由Brianna Blake 和 George Grow撰写。我们的制作人是Brianna Blake。我是Bob Doughty。
VOICE TWO:
声音2：
And I'm Faith Lapidus. Read and listen to our programs at www.unsv.com. Join us again next week for more news
about science in Special English on the Voice of America.
我是Faith Lapidus。在www.unsv.com阅读和收听我们的节目。美国之音特别英语的科学新闻下周有关于科学的更多消息，再次参与我们。
插图：
Placebos look the same as real medicines
安慰剂看起来和真的药物一样
World Trade Center September 11,2001
2001年9月11日的世贸大楼
Zhu Xing,
College of Life Sciences,
Beijing Normal University,
Beijing,
China, 100875 | 
