-By Warner Todd Huston
On Friday, TVs “Dr. Oz,” Doctor Mehmet Oz, was once again forced to defend himself this time after a group of physicians at Columbia University demanded he be removed from the board over what they claim is his pushing of bad science and unsound medical advice.
Oz responded after the group of Doctors forwarded a letter to the university asking the school to dismiss the TV doc from its board.
The letter charges that Oz is a “fake and a charlatan.” The letter continues saying, “Dr. Oz has repeatedly shown disdain for science and for evidence-based medicine.”
The letter also claimed that Oz pushes fake “miracle” weight-loss supplements that have no scientific proof supporting them.
Last year Oz was brought before a Senate panel where he ended up admitting that many of the diet drugs he promotes aren’t really based in fact.
Oz, though defended himself from the charges. “I bring the public information that will help them on their path to be their best selves,” he said in a statement. “We provide multiple points of view, including mine, which is offered without conflict of interest. That doesn’t sit well with certain agendas which distort the facts.”
The physicians also criticized Oz for his stance against genetically modified foods. But, Oz also denied that claim, as well.
“I do not claim that GMO foods are dangerous, but believe that they should be labeled like they are in most countries around the world,” Oz said in the statement. “I will address this on the show next week.”
The university also made a statement on the matter.
“As I am sure you understand and appreciate, Columbia is committed to the principle of academic freedom and to upholding faculty members’ freedom of expression for statements they make in public discussion,” Doug Levy, chief communications officer for Columbia University Medical Center said.
“The university does not regulate faculty engagement in public discourse,” Levy concluded.