Discovering Channels and Collaterals

发现经络--复旦与诺贝尔奖

Bob Xu, CMD, MS

Introduction

Sometimes, an important scientific discovery could not be apprehended at the time when the discovery was made.  Its meaning was not understood until years later after the discovery.  

The discovery of channels and collaterals (also translated as "meridian channels" in English) might be an example.

Discovering Channels and Collaterals

In 1998, professors Lun Fei and Huan-Sheng Cheng of Fudan University, Shanghai, China, published an article titled "Experimental Study and Research of the Substance Basis and Functional Characteristics of Channels and Collaterals" at the Chinese Science Bulletin, 1998, 43 (6).  

For the first time in history, this work had found the existence of channels and collaterals by means of physics and chemistry methods.  This is a very important discovery in science and medicine.  

However, at the time when the article was published, it had not drawn too much attention from the international scientific community.

Call for Actions

The American Chinese Medicine Association (ACMA) deems that the international scientific community should conduct independent study to verify professors Fei and Cheng's work.  This is because

1. The subject is highly important.  This work has touched one of the most important medical knowledge in human history -- channels and collaterals.   

2. The discovery is very significant.  Before 1998, hundreds and thousands of labs, researchers and scientists around the world had been trying to find the channels and collaterals in human body.  But none of them had successfully found the existence of channels and collaterals.  Due to this reason, many people tried to disprove the existence of channels and collaterals.  Professors Fei and Cheng's work was the first time that had successfully discovered the existence of channels and collaterals.

3. The publication is reputable.  The Chinese Science Bulletin is China's Science.  It is a comprehensive academic journal of China, which is sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and published by Science in China Press, devotes itself to the publication of the up-to-date scientific achievements in all fields of natural sciences in China.  It is now widely recognized as the most important English scientific journal in China, with Professor Zhou Guangzhao, president of the Chinese Academy of Science, as the Editor-in-Chief.  Its Editorial Board is composed of the best Chinese scientists in China and around the world.

Significances

If above work can be confirmed, it may have the following significances:

(1) Professors Fei and Cheng's work could be one of the most important scientific discoveries in human history;

(2) This work could compare with the discovery of DNA or even more meaningful from the holistic medical viewpoint;

(3) Professors Fei and Cheng deserve Nobel Prize for their contributions in discovering the channels and collaterals.

Background - Channels and Collaterals Theory 

Channels and collaterals theory is one of the most important theories in Chinese Medicine.  It is the theoretical foundation and framework which provide Chinese Medicine with the holistic nature.  One of the most important fundamental characteristics of Chinese Medicine, the concept of holism, is based on the theory of channels and collaterals.  If the channels and collaterals do not exist, holistic medicine will not exist.    

In addition to its theoretical significances, the channels and collaterals theory also directs the theory and practice of acupuncture, permeates in all other branches of Chinese Medicine such as moxibustion, tui na, an mo, gua sha, cupping, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), qi gong, tai ji, zheng gu, dao yin, etc.  

For more information on the theory of channels and collaterals (or meridian channels), please see the Handbook of Chinese Medicine.