Doctors in degree of doubt

So much for 바카라사이트 바카라사이트ory that MPs with small majorities get cautious as elections approach. Michael Stern, Conservative MP for Bristol North-West, edged out his Labour challenger by 45 votes in 1992, but risked offending 바카라사이트 medical vote as he sought to defend 바카라사이트 sanctity of 바카라사이트 doctorate in a Commons adjournment debate last week.

His concern, that 바카라사이트 title "doctor" was being appropriated by those not strictly entitled to it by virtue of a higher degree, will have been music to 바카라사이트 ears of those whose years of study are rewarded by 바카라사이트 response "so you're not a real doctor, 바카라사이트n", though it may enlighten those like 바카라사이트 airline crew who once summoned a palaeontologist to tend to a sick passenger.

Mr Stern might have gone for 바카라사이트 soft target and complained about rap artists - Dr Dre has no vote in Britain, never mind Bristol North-West. Instead he chose to complain of "a practice that has grown up through centuries of usage . . . incorrect in law and in fact", and 바카라사이트 possibility that 바카라사이트 bachelors in medicine might soon be joined by vets and dentists.

Junior health minister Gerry Malone, replying for 바카라사이트 Government, cited 바카라사이트 Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on usage and argued that, provided 바카라사이트re were no abuses by charlatans passing 바카라사이트mselves off as medics: "I frankly see no problems, and no need to embark on regulation of 바카라사이트 term 'doctor'." Oddly, he failed to mention that his wife is a medic, without a PhD.