Probing Edges Of Medicine -- And Reality

In 2003 Jonas was lead author of an analysis of homeopathy studies published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The authors, all specialists in alternative medicine, concluded that homeopathy may be effective for some conditions and "deserves an open-minded opportunity to demonstrate its value" but should not supplant proven therapies.

To Colorado physician Steven Bratman, the author of a dozen books on alternative medicine and an expert in research in the field, using homeopathy to combat bioterrorism is "completely insane -- not as insane as UFOs, but pretty close."

"For homeopathy to work, there would have to be a whole new law of science," said Bratman, a former alternative medicine practitioner who said he abandoned acupuncture and other treatments about a decade ago after he grew increasingly uneasy about their lack of scientific underpinnings.

"The fact that DOD is spending money on this research is unfortunate," he said.

Increasingly, Jonas said, the Samueli Institute is focusing on projects that explore and define optimal healing environments, a concept that grows out of his long-standing interest in preventive medicine.

"We have a biomedical system that is attempting to apply the acute care model to chronic illness," he said. "We need a new way of thinking. . . . That's the salutogenic model."

This interest in healing is reflected in the institute's expensively decorated suite of offices overlooking the King Street Metro station in Old Town Alexandria.

Situated outside Jonas's office is a large section of an aspen tree, trucked in from land the Samueli family owns in Telluride, Colo. Native Americans, Jonas said, believed the aspen tree was endowed with curative properties. It seemed a fitting symbol. ·