Posted by Randal on August 22, 2002, at 0:02:27
In reply to Re: Mercola and Quackwatchers » Randal, posted by BarbaraCat on August 21, 2002, at 18:10:20
Actually, Quackwatch's stand on homeopathy is exactly what led me to them in the first place. On June 18th of last year I read an article in Reuter's Science News that I found a bit surprising:
Homeopathic Metals May Cure All Manner of Ailments
June 18, 2001 11:06 AM ET
(I copied it, but the article is long and the link no longer active. Here is an excerpt)
"Indeed, the problem for many critics is that homeopathic medicines can be so diluted that there is nothing identifiable in the final dose except water. But Lawrence said they still contained a certain essence or dynamic of the substance. "Logically it doesn't make sense, but even modern nuclear physics doesn't make sense," he contested. "It depends on the mental modeling you use."
OTHER METAL REMEDIES
Metals are used quite widely in homeopathy, usually in the form of salts, but there is no common theme among them. With some metals, as with other substances, their so-called characteristics can manifest themselves in a patient, according to some homeopaths. The "remedy picture" for aurum (gold), for example, can be for those prone to severe depression. The type may be quite acquisitive and powerful and need to be best at whatever they do (going for gold), but also have a low opinion of themselves. Such patients might be trading in the stock market, Lawrence said, and the type to jump out of the window were share prices to plummet sharply. Aside from this, aurum can also be used for a whole range of symptoms, including mental exhaustion, digestive problems and heart and vascular disorders."I found the Quackwatch site and the same day wrote to Dr. Stephen Barrett, who runs the site:
Dear Dr. Barrett,
I was rather surprised and appalled by a story I read today about homeopathy in the Reuters science news online. If you haven't seen this, you may be interested in reading it. It's frightening that one of the major news organizations would print this.
I'm writing to you because I'm not sure of the best way to respond to this other than send a letter of complaint to the editor at Reuters. You have a great website--I found it by searching for "homeopathy, quackery, fraud". It's great that you take the time to do all of this!
Thanks,
(my name deleted), Ph.D.
Department of Biochemistry, (my university deleted)Barrett's response (the next day):
Only about 10% of articles about homeopathy are critical.
Yes, please send a protest letter to Reuters.
If you can figure out who on the Web uses the Reuters newsfeed, you
can send copies to them.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Stephen Barrett, M.D.
Board Chairman, Quackwatch, Inc.
NCAHF Vice President and Director of Internet Operations
P.O. Box 1747, Allentown, PA 18105My letter to Reuters on June 18th (for which I received no response):
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to the article of June18, 2001 titled "Homeopathic Metals May Cure All Manner of Ailments" by Karen Norton.
I am astonished to see a news organization of Reuters' caliber publish such a story, let alone under the category of "Science".
Homeopathy has been thoroughly discredited by the scientific and medical communities. Even the assumptions underlying the "theory" of homeopathy are, to put it mildly, flawed (ludicrous would be a better word). Homeopathy is nothing more than fraud and quackery disguised as alternative medicine. Please check with any of the leading research institutes, medical or scientific journals and you will get the same response.
I understand that homeopathy is currently popular in Europe with patients and many practitioners. However, this in no way validates the technique. Astrology and creation science are also popular--and there are even some who maintain that the earth is flat. Homeopathy in the same league as such beliefs. To present it as "Science News" does an incredible disservice to your readers, particularly those who are looking for medical information. Was a mainstream scientist or physician interviewed by this reporter? The complete one-sidedness of the article makes it appear more propaganda than reporting.
If I had more time, I would describe in detail why homeopathy is snake oil.
Reuters should be a dependable source of the best information on the web, not the worst. I am generally quite happy with Reuters' science reporting, but this story was truly appalling.
Sincerely,
(my name), Ph.D.
Department of Biochemistry
(my university address)Randal
poster:Randal
thread:111261
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020821/msgs/117340.html