Doctors Call for Columbia University to Can Dr. Oz

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Dr. Oz's bad science is catching up with him.

Last year, the TV host (and actual doctor) got grilled by Congress for endorsing dubious products on his show. Now, prominent physicians are calling for prestigious Columbia University to remove him from their faculty.

Dr. Mehmet Oz is a professor of surgery at the Ivy League school, and holds the surgery department's vice chairmanship at the medical school. He is also the host of The Dr. Oz Show.


NEWS: Dr. Oz Under Fire at Senate Hearing for Product Mentions

"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," read a letter addressed to Dr. Lee Goldman, Columbia's Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine. It was signed by 10 different doctors.

"Dr. Oz has repeatedly shown disdain for science and for evidence-based medicine, as well as baseless and relentless opposition to the genetic engineering of food crops," the letter continued. "Worst of all, he has manifested an egregious lack of integrity by promoting quack treatments and cures in the interest of personal financial gain."

Dr. Oz rose to TV stardom in 2004 after appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show. In 2009, he got his own daytime show dedicated to sharing medical tips and knowledge.

A 2014 study published in the British Medical Journal found that half of all the advice he gave was baseless, wrong, or both.


The Dr. Oz Show
released a statement on behalf of Dr. Oz defending him against the letter's allegations.

"I bring the public information that will help them on their path to be their best selves," Oz said, according to the statement. "We provide multiple points of view, including mine, which is offered without conflict of interest. … 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."

He said he would specifically address the GMO issue on an episode of the show next week.

Read the entire letter here: 

Watch as ET looks into whether the Congressional hearings affected Dr. Oz's credibility: