In the twenty-first century, Chinese medicine faces new opportunities and challenges, on the one hand, the change of medical model and human health concept has brought opportunities for the development of Chinese medicine; on the other hand, modern medicine, with science and technology as its wings, is developing rapidly, forming a serious challenge to Chinese medicine, Chinese medicine must take the road of combining with modern science and technology to survive and develop, and the modernization of Chinese medicine is inevitable. The modernization of TCM scientific research is the only way to achieve the goal of TCM modernization, and innovation is the soul of scientific research modernization. Zhao Lancai, Department of Infectious Diseases, Xiyuan Hospital, Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1.1 Characteristics of TCM theory 1.1 Coexistence of simple materialism and subjective speculation There are ancient simple materialistic ideas in TCM theory, such as the belief that life is material, life phenomenon is the movement of matter, essence is the original material that constitutes the human body, “The birth of human being must be combined with the birth of yin and yang, and make the essence of parents In the relationship between the form and the spirit, we believe that matter is the first, and matter determines spirit, “the essence is the essence of the spirit” (Su Wen Jin Kui Zhen Shu). The form and the spirit are mutually complementary and inseparable, which is called “the form and the spirit are together”. In the occurrence of disease and its relationship with health, materialism is also explained, “The birth of evil is also born in yin or yang, and its birth in yang is due to rain, wind, cold and heat, while its birth in yin is due to diet, residence, yin and yang, happiness and anger” (Suwen Shujing Lun). The theory of the four qi, five tastes, and meridians of Chinese medicine also originated from the practice of tasting and receiving drugs, such as the record of “Huainanzi Xiuwu Xun”: “Shennong tasted the taste of a hundred herbs”. It can be said that the reliability of the efficacy of Chinese medicine is largely due to the theory of Chinese medicine created by ancient healers in practice, which generally belongs to the category of materialism, and the simple materialism in the theory of Chinese medicine is an important reason for the vitality of Chinese medicine to date. However, there is no doubt that the materialistic view of TCM theory is not complete, and due to the limitation of historical conditions, it contains a lot of subjective speculation of materialism, especially in the basic theory, which adopts the method of taking analogy and applying abstract concepts, so that the skeleton of TCM theory is built on the Tibetan theory centering on the five elements and five organs, and from which the theory of etiology and pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment, and the theory of medicinal properties of Chinese medicine are derived. In the description of the physiology and pathology of the internal organs, the five elements of yin and yang are used to analogize the functions of the internal organs, and the concepts are abstract and vague, such as “the lung is the official of the auxiliary” and “the liver is the official of the general” in the physiology, and “wood In terms of pathology, “wood and fire punish gold” and “water overwhelms the heart”. In the record of the medicinal properties of Chinese medicine, there is no lack of conjecture, such as “bitter can laxative, sour can astringent, pungent can dispersal, sweet can moderate”, etc., and the elaboration of the efficacy of specific drugs, such as “ginseng endowed with the light of the sky, the wide and thick of the earth, a long time into the human form, the three talents are available, so complement the five organs of man The theory of “the herb Chong Yuan” (Ben Cao Chong Yuan). The abstractness of the basic concepts in the theory of Chinese medicine and the vagueness of the theoretical expressions determine the discursive, empirical and uncritical nature of the clinical diagnosis and treatment of Chinese medicine. These characteristics are a major obstacle to the modernization of TCM and the development of TCM into the world. 1.2 The dialectical thought of natural philosophy and the mechanical theory of metaphysics are seen side by side The dialectical thought of TCM theory is mainly reflected in the concept of the whole, the concept of contradiction and the concept of movement, which believes that the human body is an organic whole, and the human body, through the meridians, encompasses the five organs, six internal organs, and all the limbs and bones in the five systems centered on the five organs, which are linked into an organic whole, and the human body and the external environment are also an organic whole. The human body and the external environment are also an organic whole. “Man and heaven and earth correspond”, abnormal changes in the natural climatic environment will lead to human morbidity, so there are wind, cold, heat, humidity, dryness, fire six obscene etiology. The contradictory view of Chinese medicine believes that the essence of life is the unity of the contradiction between yin and yang within the organism, “yang transforms qi, yin forms”, and yin and yang use each other’s roots, struggle against each other, and transform through all aspects of human physiology and pathology. The main concept of movement in Chinese medicine is mainly reflected in the concept of the “movement of the body”. Chinese medicine’s view of movement is mainly reflected in the timelessness of the movement of the qi in and out of the internal organs, such as “Suwen six micro-measures” said: “non-lifting is not to grow and collect, non-in and out is not to grow and grow old”, the difference between health and disease also lies in the normalcy of the qi up and down or not, so the previous people have ” The difference between health and disease also lies in the normalization of the Qi flow, so the former people have ” death and life of the machine, the birth and descent of the only ” statement. The dialectical thinking of Chinese medicine emphasizes the relationship between diseases and the natural climate, environment and human emotions, and the treatment of diseases must be individualized, and the treatment must be based on the evidence, and be appropriate for each person and place. The doctrine of yin and yang in Chinese medicine approximates the unity and wholeness of all things in the universe and reflects the contradictory relationship between things, which has laid the foundation for the establishment of the theoretical system of Chinese medicine, and is one of the important reasons why Chinese medicine is at the forefront of other traditional medicine. However, it must be seen that the idea of dialectics in TCM is not thorough, and it is mixed with metaphysical elements, such as the mechanical application of the doctrine of the five elements in the approach to the connection of things, which makes the way of connection between things too patterned and simplistic, which is contrary to the principle of dialectics about the diversity of connection between things. 1.3 Generalization of the cognitive model The generalization of the cognitive model of TCM theory is mainly manifested in the integrated mode of thinking based on image thinking and the deterministic idea of emphasizing function over substance. The thinking mode of TCM is mainly image thinking, but also abstract thinking and inspired thinking, which is characterized by introspection, intuition, and even guessing, with a high degree of deliberation, and through this multi-faceted and multi-level thinking, the connection and changes between things are derived, and this characteristic of integrated thinking is obviously lacking in logic compared with the logical thinking of Western medicine, which only emphasizes physical and chemical testing indicators and pays attention to logical reasoning. In the relationship between function and structure, TCM focuses on function and ignores structure, and even creates structure by function. For example, TCM attributes human spiritual consciousness and thinking activities mainly to the function of the heart, while the brain is classified as the “House of Qi and Heng”, and its function is far from being emphasized. Chinese medicine advocates “coarse guarding the form, upper guarding the spirit”, and believes that the spirit is more important than the form, and the “spirit” referred to in Chinese medicine is the comprehensive embodiment of the organism’s multi-organ function. For example, the “five elements” of gold, wood, water, fire and earth have completely lost their material properties and have become synonymous with the characteristics of things. 1.4 Symbolization and Patterning of Theory Representation In Chinese medicine theory, the five elements of yin and yang are ubiquitous, and the five elements of yin and yang have symbolic nature; the five elements of yin and yang represent different things and belong to universal symbols, but the five elements of yin and yang are different from scientific symbols; scientific symbols are neutral and have no properties in themselves, while the five elements of yin and yang symbols have properties in themselves; yin and yang are symbols prescribed by dichotomy, and there are birth, gram and multiplication between the five elements symbols The scientific theories revolve around a certain object, while the object under study in TCM theory does not exist independently, but is dependent on yin and yang and the five elements, and the yin and yang symbols are at the top of the theory, playing the role of an outline. Chinese medicine theory is model in nature, the concepts and doctrines of Chinese medicine are actually conceptual models and thinking models, such as the internal organs of Chinese medicine are the abstraction and solidification of the organ entities and their series of functions, which do not exist in reality, such as the concept of “three jiao”, which is described in the Nei Jing as: “the upper jiao is like fog, the middle jiao is like compost, and the lower jiao is like mud”. For example, the concept of “Sanjiao” is described in the Nei Jing as “the upper jiao is like a fog, the middle jiao is like a compost, and the lower jiao is like a dou” and “the Sanjiao is the official of the dou, and the water channels come out of it”. The characteristics of modeling are determined by the method, the ancient science is not developed, do not have experimental conditions, the ancient people can only use indirect methods to construct theories, relying on subjective abstract thinking, synthesize a large number of clinical observations, processing, thinking and exploring, shaping a relatively complete theoretical model, this method determines that the resulting theory is necessarily a conceptual model, thinking model, modeling is the inherent characteristics of Chinese medicine theory. modeling is inherent to TCM theory. In summary, TCM theories are systematic, modeling, generalizing, and thinking, and are image-only theories, which are generalizations of experience. In general, the model of theory generation in natural science is: observation of phenomena – retrospective summary – hypothesis – prospective practice (confirmation) – second summary, and theory is born as truth. If the TCM theory is positioned in the above model, I think it is a mixture of natural philosophy, truth, and speculative hypothesis. 2.1 Ambiguity in the language of expression Because of the integration of a large number of natural philosophical concepts in TCM theory, such as “the unity of heaven and man”, “yin and yang”, “the five elements”, etc., and because of the ancient anatomical and physical structure, the theory of TCM is not only a natural philosophy, but also a natural philosophy. “Due to the backwardness of anatomy in ancient times, the theory of Chinese medicine emphasizes function and structure, and the intermingling of medicine and philosophy, a large number of abstract terms are produced, and the connotation and extension of concepts are ambiguous, which makes the expression language of Chinese medicine ambiguous, and the doctrine of the Tibetan elephant in Chinese medicine is an obvious example, which includes both physical anatomy and functional and philosophical speculation, resulting in different understanding and interpretations. 2.2 Contradiction between the holistic nature of TCM and the reductionist approach TCM values the role of the whole and the seven emotions in causing disease, while the reductionist approach to analysis can hardly reflect the dynamic changes in overall regulation. How to identify indicators reflecting psychological and social factors and to objectify and standardize them is not only a difficult problem in TCM research, but also a problem that modern medicine needs to solve urgently. 2.3 The comprehension and difficulty of operation of TCM observation methods Embodiment and introspection are the main research methods of traditional Chinese medicine, and this form of cognitive activity realizes the unity of the phenomenon and essence of things, which can be evidenced by its expression – taking analogy and analogy, “elephant This is evidenced by the way it is expressed: “elephant” has both phenomenal (visible) and abstract (metaphorical) meanings, and the method of taking analogy and comparison does not require strict selection of research objects, but only requires one to make extensive connections and comparisons with everything in nature, which is expressed in the method of direct comprehension of things in a non-operational natural state – the method of comprehension. The same concept of TCM can have different meanings depending on the clinical experiences of different doctors, which makes it difficult to form standardized and objective indicators of TCM concepts. 3. Ideas and methods of scientific research innovation in TCM 3.1 The only observation method Observation of phenomena is the first step of scientific research, only after mastering the phenomena of objective things in all aspects can we further summarize the phenomena and put forward hypotheses. Even so, we must go through this process to study TCM, but the field and level of observation should be broad and deep, not only to observe the macroscopic, overall interface of the evidence, but also to observe the “phenomena” at the level of tissues and organs, cells and molecules, and even genes, with the help of modern observation tools, and to describe the phenomena in more detail than the ancients, and to The description of the phenomena should be more detailed than the ancients, and the connotation and extension of the concept should be limited as much as possible, so that more observations can be accumulated to form new hypotheses, and the formed hypotheses can be verified in practice at multiple levels, and the correct part is the essence of things (truth). Only when the truth is derived can it be compared with the old theory, sublimated and discarded. 3.2 Multi-level experimental method TCM theory plays an effective guiding role at the macroscopic and overall human level, but in a strict sense, this kind of rough clinical practice plays a very small role in verifying the truth and discarding fallacies, because there are too many factors influencing this macroscopic and overall practice. In order to verify the theories of TCM in practice, rigorous experimental research must be conducted at multiple levels and at multiple levels of the whole body, organs, tissues, cells, molecules, etc. At the same time, the scientific language of Western medicine must be created or borrowed for description to make up for the lack of language description in the theoretical system of TCM, and in this process, many standardization issues must be involved, such as the development of a large number of diagnostic and efficacy criteria at multiple levels of evidence. How to make the four diagnoses of TCM microscopic, objective and quantifiable is a problem that needs to be solved. As mentioned above, macroscopic thinking is the basic characteristic of theoretical and clinical thinking in TCM, and the common thinking method in TCM is to externally speculate on the internal, inferring by analogy, and taking analogy, etc. This thinking method has blindness and ambiguity, and it is difficult to achieve accuracy and refinement. To a large extent, this method is based on empirical evidence, which inevitably leads to assumptions and fallacies. Therefore, it is necessary to study and improve the thinking methods of TCM, introduce logical thinking methods, and unify image thinking with logical thinking. 3.4 Establishment of functional evaluation system and functional quantification methods of TCM Theories of TCM are characterized by emphasis on function rather than structure, therefore, the focus of TCM research should be on the study of organ and tissue functions, chronic diseases involving multiple systems, multiple organs, multifunctional abnormalities, difficult diseases and geriatric diseases should be the use of TCM, and the clinical research of these diseases should establish functional evaluation system and functional quantification methods of TCM. The clinical research on these diseases should establish a Chinese medicine function evaluation system and a functional quantitative method, so that the representation of function is quantitative or semi-quantitative, with a certain degree of objectivity and operability, and on this basis, corresponding animal models should be established and experimental research should be conducted, and clinical and experimental research should be mutually verified and complementary, so that there is hope for a breakthrough in theory. 3.5 Cultivating innovative talents and finding innovative points of TCM in multiple disciplines and levels To realize the modernization of TCM scientific research, the human factor is the first, and it is necessary to cultivate a group of innovative talents with high academic level and high quality, who must be proficient in TCM theory and TCM scientific research methods, master the new technology and new means of related disciplines, and have good academic style and quality of international communication. The formation of such a team requires experts in Chinese and Western medicine and other natural sciences to jointly undertake the important task of training and education, so it is necessary to adjust the structure of talent training, expand or reorganize the University of Chinese Medicine, establish a high-level “Whampoa School” of Chinese medicine on a large scale, convergence of famous people, creating famous brands, integrating teaching, research and medicine, and widely The intersection of related disciplines and TCM is both the frontier of scientific research and the breakthrough of TCM research, and certain interdisciplinary disciplines have shown vigorous vitality and promoted the development of TCM, such as combined Chinese and Western medicine, combined Chinese and Western medicine experimental medicine, Chinese medicine pharmacology, Chinese medicine serology, and Chinese medicine pharmacology. Certain interdisciplinary disciplines have shown vigorous vitality and promoted the development of TCM, such as TCM combined medicine, TCM combined experimental medicine, TCM pharmacology, TCM serum pharmacology, TCM bioengineering, TCM immunology, etc. The combination of certain disciplines with TCM is expected to produce theoretical breakthroughs, such as quantum mechanics, fuzzy mathematics, molecular biology, etc. 3.6 Establish incentive mechanism for TCM innovation and promote the industrialization of TCM scientific research results “Prosperity of science and education” is a basic national policy of China, and the TCM community should establish the concept of “Prosperity of science and education” and “Prosperity of innovation in medicine”. The concept of “innovation in medicine”. Comrade Jiang Zemin pointed out not long ago that “we should correctly handle the relationship between inheritance and innovation, not only should we seriously inherit the characteristics and advantages of Chinese medicine, but also be brave enough to innovate, actively use modern science and technology to promote the development of the theory and practice of Chinese medicine, and realize the modernization of Chinese medicine.” This requires us, on the basis of inheritance, to be brave in innovation. How to motivate TCM scientific research workers to strive for excellence and innovation, transform innovative ideas into scientific research results, and then further industrialize them into productivity and generate social and economic benefits, which requires the establishment of a set of innovation incentive mechanisms to ensure the smooth process from innovative ideas to the industrialization of results, reflecting the value of new ideas and methods of scientific researchers. While promoting the industrialization of TCM scientific research results, it is necessary to establish a constraint management mechanism that combines medicine, integrates medicine, promotes medicine with medicine, and synchronizes the development of TCM to escort the modernization of TCM scientific research and the industrialization of TCM. To sum up, TCM theories were produced in the ancient times when technology was not developed, and there are both essence and dross in them, which brings many difficulties to the modern research of TCM, but TCM must take the road of modernization, which is the trend of the country’s science and technology. To realize the modernization of TCM scientific research, TCM industrialization and modernization.