Pills do show signs of relieving tinnitus

Q. I have tinnitus and have heard that Lipo-Flavonoid can help with this. I purchased a bottle and the recommended dosage is two capsules three times a day for ringing in the ears. This treatment should be taken for six months. The claim is that the product will reduce or cure the ringing. What do you think of this treatment?

A. Some forms of tinnitus respond to Lipo-Flavonoid, which is safe, and, to my knowledge, causes no adverse effects. It may take months to work. However, many of my readers have written saying the pills worked immediately or within a week. Try the medication and let me know the outcome. Meanwhile, get checked by an ear-nose-and-throat specialist.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Ear Infections and Disorders."

Q. I recently read a letter in your column suggesting that you be cloned. Although you disagreed with the suggestion, I strongly feel you need to reconsider. With all the horrifying news of misdiagnosis, malpractice, and physicians, it's reassuring to know you're around, Dr. Gott. So why not be cloned to supply the world with many more needed physicians?

Also, it would be beneficial to the health of the eyes to have more good-looking people around, and you sure do look like a stud in the picture that heads your column.

You can still retain your personal identity by being known as the first Dr. Gott.

I know this may sound unreasonable now, but as we further ourselves in medical science (thanks to you) and cloning becomes more available, I strongly feel you should consider this option.

A. If you knew me better you would realize why some doctors would love to drive me out of town. But if I can be of help, that makes it all worthwhile.

As for the clones, I'm not sure that any would become doctors. Who is to say just because there is this other person or people who are genetically identical to me and have a striking similarity in appearance, they would think, feel and act as I do? Unless my childhood, teenage years and beyond were duplicated perfectly, including values, morals and other lessons taught by my parents, I doubt the clones would become anything like me. How these clones (everyone in general, actually) are raised from birth plays a huge role in what sort of individuals they become, as well as their aspirations, etc. There is no way of "cloning" emotions and values.

So you see, even if I wanted to be cloned, there is no guarantee that my clone would have anything in common with me besides looks and genes. I think cloning can be extremely beneficial for other purposes, such as organ regeneration/transplant, but when creating complete copies of individuals comes into play, the issue gets very muddy.

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