Doctor slams Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu for comments on cow urine, calls him 'illiterate boomer uncle...'

Liver specialist and clinician-scientist Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips popularly known as ‘The Liver Doctor’ on social media, criticised Zoho co-founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu for his support of IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti, who recently spoke about the medicinal properties of cow urine (gomutra).

In a post on X, Dr. Philips condemned the ongoing discussion, saying, “Hey science illiterate boomer uncle, your so-called Indian traditional medicine, Siddha also encourages fecal transplants. How long will you keep putting your foot in your mouth and speak through your rear, misinform your followers, and make a fool of yourself?”

Hey science illiterate boomer uncle, your so-called Indian traditional medicine, Siddha also encourages fecal transplants. How long will you keep putting your foot in your mouth and speak through your rear, misinform your followers, and make a fool of yourself?

As a man of… https://t.co/xOs6DUthPP pic.twitter.com/wlJFeXl1L9

— TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) January 22, 2025

"As a man of influence, spread valuable information on how as a community we can progress through science and the scientific method, instead of promoting ancient nonsense and primal therapies and amplifying fools who misinform, like the IIT Madras professor,” the Liver Doc said highlighting Zoho CEO's role in influencing mass opinion.

Vembu defended Prof. Kamakoti, claiming that critics of cow urine do not grasp the changing scientific viewpoints. He drew comparisons to the increasing interest in fecal transplants and fecal pills sourced from healthy individuals, particularly from pre-industrial societies, as a means of restoring gut bacteria.

“If you would really like to know how fecal transplants have science behind its use, you can read about our work here. We have pioneered this method in salvaging patients dying of severe alcohol-associated hepatitis,” the Liver Doc added sharing links of articles.

The controversy erupted when Prof. Kamakoti, speaking at an event on January 15, asserted that cow urine has "anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and digestive properties" and could effectively treat conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). His remarks faced skepticism, with critics labeling them as pseudoscience and questioning their credibility.

Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, known as the Liver Doc, countered these assertions, saying, "There is no scientific evidence supporting the benefits of urine therapy. Stop spreading misinformation and educate yourself instead of relying on strawman arguments."