SCAM in the Indie: "The Truth"?

[Mojo]

An article from yesterday's Independent (posted by The Don over at JREF): http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/hea...icle354149.ece

Here are their conclusions about homoeopathy:

The truth
If you are one of the 30 million Europeans who are regular users of homeopathy, you are unlikely to be impressed by accusations that the therapy lacks an evidence base or goes against all known physical laws. After all, “real life” studies, such as that carried out in Bristol, persistently show the value of homeopathy for patients. Just don’t expect your GP to be supportive.

"Real life" studies, presumably meaning uncontrolled studies asking patients vague questions about whether they feel better.

While they mention the Lancet analysis, they ignore its conclusions as far as their "truth" is concerned.

[Admin]

I really like how someone who clearly has little grasp of the issues end each segment with "The Truth"

Homeopathy for long-term health

The claims
This gentle, holistic therapy with roots in ancient Greece uses very dilute, “potentised” remedies,

The 'Doctrine of Signatures' (where the therapeutic use for the plant is determined by its resemblance to the body part it's meant to treat) may go back to ancient Greece, but the 'like cures like' of Samuel Hahnemann is not really the same thing.

Homeopathy was invented by Hanneman, a German, in the late 18th century.

Isn't The Independent meant to be a quality paper? Then what on earth is it doing publishing this twaddle?

[vbloke]

I think the root cause of peoples faith in Homoeopathy is more innocent than even case studies show;
if it's useless, why do so many people, even the NHS, use it? Surely there must be something in it?

This is the mindset that we need to address, not using dry statistics and studies - why not a publicity stunt similar to the homoeopathic suicide in Belgium: http://www.csicop.org/si/2004-05/belgium.html?

[Mojo]

Homeopathy for long-term health

The claims
This gentle, holistic therapy with roots in ancient Greece uses very dilute, “potentised” remedies,

Homeopathy was invented by Hanneman, a German, in the late 18th century.

I came up against the "Ancient Greeks" claim the other day at work, from someone who knows it's true because she knows two homoeopaths and they told her it was (It's amazing, isn't it: not only are homoeopaths ignorant of any scientific or medical advances made during the last couple of hundred years, they also tend to exhibit a profound ignorance about homoeopathy as well).

Doesn't allopathy (i.e. the system based on the four humours that Hahnemann was reacting against) go back to the Greeks?

[Mojo]

This is the mindset that we need to address, not using dry statistics and studies - why not a publicity stunt similar to the homoeopathic suicide in Belgium: http://www.csicop.org/si/2004-05/belgium.html?

The problem with this would be publicising it. I doubt that the press would be too interested.

[vbloke]

teek's a PR person - I'm sure she could whip up some media interest.
I'm doing a homoeopathy course (for the JREF challenge - to get MAS and Sheikh to shut up), so I could supply the homoeopathic poison.

[Blue Bubble]

I'm doing a homoeopathy course (for the JREF challenge - to get MAS and Sheikh to shut up), so I could supply the homoeopathic poison.

Vbloke, can you tell us more about the homeopathy course you're doing ? Are you paying real money for it ? When do you "qualify" ?

[vbloke]

General Diploma in Homeopathy

Internationally acclaimed, this popular course offers an Open University style, distance learning!!!, comprehensive home study course for the prestigious Diploma of the Institute in Homeopathy, entitling the holder to use the initials, DIHom.

Over 3,000 British Institute graduates are now practicing homeopathy throughout the world. The General Diploma Course is followed by the Homeopathy in Practice Course (l03) and the Clinical Internship (104) for those graduates who wish to practice classical homeopathy (DIHom Pract.)

Eligibility
The course is designed for students with a good general education and a commitment to homeopathy or physicians, pharmacists, osteopaths, dentists, nurses or other health professionals.

Duration
The duration of the course is approximately two years, but students work at home and can study at their own pace. Your personal one-to-one tutor will help you to achieve whatever goal you set to complete the course.

Course Programme
The course comprises of 29 written lessons, with course assignments to enable the student to monitor his or her own progress, with two intermediate and a final examination.
Practitioner Study Programme

The British Institute offers a comprehensive study programme for students wishing to establish a homoeopathic practice and to meet or exceed various accreditation standards of which the General Diploma (DIHom) is an integral part.

*****

Unfortunately, I am paying real money for it, but I'm writing it off against my business, so it's not my own personal cash.

29 written lessons over 2 years! I could probably get through that in 6 months!
I'm thinking of writing a blog about it too.

[Jocky]

vbloke - I for one will willingly drink your 'poison', and I'm sure loads of other people here would join me. I think the stunt is a great idea, but as has been discussed in another thread, without a really effective figurehead it will make no impact at all.

I think it also has to be part of a wider campaign (ongoing TV and press coverage, leaflets outsidse Hollnad and Barrett and so on), otherwise it would just get lost.

Just out of interest, does Avogadro's number put in an appearance in the course, and if so what woo science do they give you to explain away the total absence of any molecules of the original 'cure' after 12C dilution?

[vbloke]

It does, although they call it "Avogadro's Hypothesis".

What we need is a fairly major campaign - something along the lines of leaflets, local news stories, national news stories, magazine articles, all with discussion of what the placebo effect is and how powerful it can be... all leading up to the big stunt.

Like I said in another thread, I'd happily be a figurehead for this, although I'm sure there are better and more qualified people around who could front it.

[Jocky]

Avogadro's HYPOTHESIS!!!!

[Actually, there is no smiley in existence which is silly enough to convey my derision]

Well, you could feature in the campaign as the "qualified expert". We could get you a white coat and everything. If you're balding and have got thick glasses then we're practically home and dry :D

[vbloke]

I'm not balding, nor do I need glasses, but I do have my own lab coat.

[Mojo]

We could always lend you a pair of specs and shave your head.