Second Opinion Offered on ‘Doctors of Diversity’

Re “UCI’s Doctors of Diversity,” editorial, July 8:

Your editorial is right on in pointing out that exposing future doctors to courses outside their chosen field is a good idea.

However, hidden behind this facade is that far fewer of our brightest students are now seeking medicine as a career due to the deteriorating future of the health-care industry. In order to stay open, perhaps many medical schools simply have little choice but to accept students without a background in biologic sciences.

Given a choice between competence and conversation, most people will still likely opt for the former in a major health crisis. Since there is no assurance that even a student graduated summa cum laude in medieval history will necessarily be capable of mastering biologic science, the answer may well be mandating a minimum number of humanity courses for all future doctors while still requiring some proof of competence in the field of biology.

This is not to say that those majoring in liberal arts do not contribute at least as much to our society. It is just that a proven scientific mind should be the prerequisite for all doctors.

Your editorial was right on applauding diversity but wrong in its conclusion.

John T. Chiu, M.D. Clinical Professor of Medicine, UC Irvine

Newport Beach