Ernst T. Krebs

Ernst T. Krebs

Ernst T. Krebs was a biochemist and pharmacologist, primarily known for his controversial work on vitamin B17, also known as amygdalin or laetrile, which he promoted as a treatment for cancer. Despite his claims, scientific consensus has not supported laetrile as an effective cancer treatment, and its use has been criticized and deemed potentially dangerous.

Early Life and Education

Ernst T. Krebs was born in the early 20th century. Details about his early life, including his birth date and place, are not widely documented. Krebs pursued higher education in the fields of biochemistry and pharmacology, areas that would define his career and controversial contributions to cancer treatment research.

Career and Research

Throughout his career, Ernst T. Krebs focused on the study of vitamins and enzymes, with a particular interest in substances he believed could prevent or cure cancer. His most notable work involved amygdalin, a naturally occurring compound found in the seeds of many fruits, such as apricots and peaches. Krebs claimed that amygdalin was a vitamin, which he termed "vitamin B17," and promoted its derivative, laetrile, as a cancer cure.

The promotion of laetrile by Krebs sparked a significant controversy in the medical and scientific communities. Despite initial interest, numerous clinical trials and studies failed to demonstrate its efficacy as a cancer treatment. Major health organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have stated that there is no scientific evidence supporting laetrile's effectiveness in treating cancer, and have warned about its potential toxicity.

Controversy and Legal Issues

The promotion of laetrile by Ernst T. Krebs and others led to legal battles and regulatory scrutiny. In the United States, the FDA banned the interstate shipment of laetrile in 1977 due to lack of evidence of its safety and effectiveness. However, the controversy surrounding laetrile persisted, with some advocating for its use based on anecdotal evidence and others criticizing it as a dangerous form of quackery.

Legacy

Ernst T. Krebs's work on amygdalin and laetrile has left a complex legacy. While he is viewed by some as a pioneer in alternative cancer treatments, the scientific community largely regards his promotion of laetrile as unsupported by evidence and potentially harmful. The debate over laetrile has contributed to broader discussions about the regulation of alternative medicines and the importance of evidence-based treatments in oncology.

See Also

• Alternative medicine
• Cancer treatment
• History of cancer treatment
• Quackery