Rav Moshe Shternbuch: Alternative or Experimental Medicine & A Non Kosher Diet
If someone is suffering from a disease that conventional medicine does not have an answer for and a Doctor claims that he has a found a breakthrough treatment that includes eating non-kosher food, may the sick person try this regime and eat the non kosher food?
Rav Moshe Shternbuch (1:881) says that the definition of a Refuah for which a person may violate Halacha, is only if the prescribed regimen is either well known or presented by an expert (Shulchan Aruch YD 155). Expert status is only accorded to someone who has successfully used this particular medical treatment to heal three people (Shulchan Aruch (OC 301:25). If this treatment qualifies then it would be permissible to eat non-kosher food.
However suggest Rav Shternbuch, even if the treatment does not fall within these guidelines and one wants to follow it, this can be done by putting a bitter substance into the non kosher food. This would render it an Issur D’Rabanan and would be permissible if the doctor is an acclaimed doctor and has credibility. This Heter needs a Sheilas Chochom since it may depend on the seriousness of the disease, whether it is life threatening or a particular organ is in danger or there is no danger at all.
Furthermore says Rav Shternbuch before trying a new medical treatment one must get a guarantee from the doctor as well as other doctors that the treatment will not harm the patient and will either help or at worst do nothing.
Important Note: We try to convey the Tshuva to the best of our ability. We admit that our understanding may not be accurate. Please also understand that this Tshuva may not be the final word on this topic. One should consult a Rav before drawing any conclusions.
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