Final answer:
Biomedicine is considered an ethnomedicine because it is influenced by Western cultural values and history. It relies on the scientific method and clinical trials to treat diseases and injuries. However, biases like racism and sexism can affect its effectiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biomedicine is considered an ethnomedicine because it is deeply influenced by Western cultural values and history. It is a medical system rooted in Western science and relies heavily on biology and biochemistry. However, unlike other ethnomedical systems that may place their faith in a deity or time-tested treatments, biomedicine places its faith in the scientific method and clinical trials.
Unlike other cultural knowledge systems, such as traditional Chinese medicine, biomedicine seeks to treat disease and injuries using scientifically tested cures. Biomedical healthcare professionals use the results of clinical trials to assess the validity of treatments. However, it is important to note that this assessment still requires faith because healthcare professionals rely on the work of others in conducting research.
While biomedicine aims for scientific objectivity, medical anthropologists have documented systemic prejudices like racism, classism, and sexism that can impact its effectiveness and perpetuate health inequalities. Despite its flaws, biomedicine is often used as a point of comparison for other ethnomedical systems in the Western world.