Upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground: ensuring positive efficacy and reaching new consensus

YANG Jinsheng,CHEN Xi,WANG Yingying

YANG Jinsheng,CHEN Xi,Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,Beijing 100700,China

WANG Yingying,Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,Beijing 100700,China

Author: YANG Jinsheng(1964-),Chief physician,PhD Supervisor,engaged in basic theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine,standards of acupuncture and moxibustion,academic transmission of famous doctors and clinical research,E-mail: zml@ibucm.com.

The work of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)should “follow the development laws of TCM,carry forward the essence,uphold fundamental principles and break new ground”.How to correctly understand“upholding fundamental principles” and “breaking new ground” and how their relationship is are the key to the future development of TCM.

Upholding fundamental principles is to protect orthodox,obey the right path,and adhere to justice.Breaking new ground is to break through the routine,find new ideas,and create new objects.They together represent the innovative discovery and re-creation of the the existing cognition and behavior that are outdated and repetitive.The former is the foundation,which requires adherence to the right way,by utilizing the existing knowledge,grasping the fundamental and objective laws of things,and understanding the existing things in affirmative action.The latter is a process,which involves the regeneration after negating,and reflects the qualitative change and leap of things.It is thus obvious that the connotation is “upholding fundamental principles to benefit innovation,and meanwhile breaking new ground by reliance on preservation”,so as to reveal the path,process and law of the development of things.For TCM,I believes that it is not just to uphold the fundamental principles from the tradition and breaking new ground of the times,but more importantly,it is necessary to “ensure positive efficacy and reaching new consensus”,so as to promote the academic progress.

The efficacy is the concentrated reflection of the value of TCM theory,and it is also the foundation of the survival and development of TCM.Breaking new ground is to“ensure the positive efficacy”.Clinical efficacy is the foundation and the vitality of TCM.On the basis of adhering to such thoughts as “the holism of harmony between man and nature,the dialectical view of the three causes,and the dynamic concept of yin-yang and the five elements” of the theoretical framework system of TCM,it is considered that emphasizing the efficacy signifies upholding fundamental principles,and improving efficacy implies breaking new ground.However,the prevention and treatment efficacy of TCM on diseases are mostly reflected in the level of “being effective”.Whether treatment is perfomed according to the pattern or disease differentiation,and by master or ordinary physician,certain effect can be achieved and transformed into schools of TCM.It is urgent to objectively compare and evaluate those “being effective” to seek for the“superior”“efficient” and “specific” ones,and avoid the chaos of selecting pattern types,treatment methods,preferred formulas and medicinals in the current textbooks by different publishing house or in different versions of the same publishing house,because textbooks are the most standard and most orthodox in scientific model of the discipline.

The essence of innovation is breakthrough.Its core is renovation,and the key is consensus and sharing.The core indicator for evaluating the innovation of TCM is mainly reflected in its efficacy on maintainance and improvement of health,including advanced health concepts,scientific diagnostic technologies,practical operation methods,and efficient pharmaceutical appliances.Only when the value of these innovative achievements can be recognized,accepted and shared by the public,can TCM get rid of “self-justification and self-appreciation".Upholding fundamental principles without mentioning efficacy and breaking new ground without consensus is like a tree without root and water without a source.As FU Qingzhu said,it is agreed that“administering ancient formulas without adjustment is a mistake.The ancients conceived that utilizing ancient prescription to cure modern diseases is like demolishing an old house and building a new one,which could not succeed without a good architect.” Thus,based on the objective evaluation of clinical efficacy and reaching a consensus on the basis of “superior effects”,the academic status of TCM can be improved.

Guided by upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground,it is suggested to summarize,refine,sublimate the theories and then reach a consensus,under the premise that TCM is evaluated as effective,so as to enrich the existing theoretical system of TCM diagnosis and treatment in clinical practice.To promote the modernization and internationalization of TCM,those are conductive,that is,adhering to the concepts of making the ancient serve the contemporary,putting forth new ideas,ensuring positive efficacy,and reaching new consensus.As HUANG Luqi said,“The development of TCM must stick to the origin,draw on foreign experience and confront the future,so that it can gradually move towards modernization,scientification and globalization.”