Columbia University stood by celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz on Thursday, saying it will not rescind his faculty position after 10 physicians called for his ousting in a letter.
According to The Associated Press, the Ivy League school said in regard to Dr. Oz's employment that it was "committed to the principle of academic freedom and to upholding faculty members' freedom of expression for statements they make in public discussion."
Dr. Henry Miller of California's Stanford University was the lead author of the condemning letter, which accused Oz of quackery.
"We are surprised and dismayed that Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons would permit Dr. Mehmet Oz to occupy a faculty appointment, let alone a senior administrative position in the Department of Surgery," said part of the letter.
"Worst of all, he has manifested an egregious lack of integrity by promoting quack treatments and cures in the interest of personal financial gain."
Miller, along with Dr. Joel Tepper, a cancer researcher from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, and Dr. Gilbert Ross of the American Council on Science and Health in New York City, took particular issue with Oz's alleged opposition to genetic engineering of food crops.
Last fall, a U.S. Senate panel summoned Oz to testify about his involvement with a particular diet supplement.
At the time, he said, "I actually do personally believe in the items I talk about on the show. I passionately study them. I recognize that oftentimes they don’t have the scientific muster to present as fact. Nevertheless, I would give my audience the same advice I give my family, and I have given my family these products."
Oz first came to prominence as a frequent guest of Oprah Winfrey, and soon netted his own regular TV spot, "The Dr. Oz Show."
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