21.   But some experts in critical care medicine criticized the method used in the study as being less precise than that used in a randomized controlled trial.

22.   Dr. Richard B. Johnston, who is medical director of the March of Dimes, said he too wanted to see randomized controlled trials.

23.   For instance, Wenger said, three recent controlled trials have found that, rather than protecting women from heart attacks and strokes, hormone replacement increases their risk.

24.   He also said that controlled human trials of marijuana for dying or seriously ill patients are not necessary.

25.   However, three randomly controlled trials of men with early stage, slow and moderately growing prostate cancer are in progress.

26.   Hughes agrees that scientifically controlled trials must be used to resolve controversies over some nontraditional healing methods like the use of native plants and herbs.

27.   In the absence of controlled clinical trials, herbal remedies may be usurping billions of dollars that could be put to much better use in other ways.

28.   In the end, controlled clinical trials will be the only way to prove whether shark cartilage is a miracle cure or a hoax.

29.   Instead, doctors depend more on findings from scientifically controlled trials to provide quality medical care.

30.   It was the first such controlled trial to test the use of bacteria to prevent diarrhea, the researchers said.