Homeopathy University Challenge
Thursday, December 04, 2008
It is now one year since I issued a simple challenge to the homeopathic community to provide a simple and clear demonstration that what they say is true. If homeopaths could provide basic evidence that their beliefs are demonstrable, then much of the criticism of the trade would disappear.But not one homeopath has been willing to give it a try. I bent over backwards to make it easy, cheap and accessible. Despite much bluster and hot air, on this site, and homeopathic discussion boards, no homeopath had the balls to come forward.
The test I proposed was simple: homeopaths claim that their pills have specific effects. In particular, each type of pill can induce specific and repeatable symptoms in healthy volunteers. (See the Society of Homeopaths explanation.) This is called a 'proving' in homeopathy and it is how homeopaths determine what each sort of pill is good for curing - 'like cures like.' For example, if a pill makes you feel tired when you are healthy it can be used to cure lethargy. Homeopaths routinely do provings on new substances, record the symptoms in groups of volunteers, and then add the new pills to their medical store cupboard. My test was simply this: given six different homeopathic pills, could a homeopath identify correctly which pill was which if all they know were what the six remedies were, but not which pill was which? The homeopath could choose whatever remedy they liked - to make them as distinct from each other as possible - and to take them in any 'strength' (remember homeopaths believe that the more dilute a substance, the more 'potent' it is). Just tell six pills apart. Simple.
I extended my challenge in a number of ways. I was quite happy for groups of homeopaths to do the 're-proving'. Some complained that this was too much of a burden for one homeopath. I was also quite happy for anyone to do anything to determine which pill was which. They could perform a re-proving, they could use any analytical technique (physical or chemical), they could dowse the pills or subject them to anything else they could think of. But not one homeopath wanted to end the controversy and prove homeopathy was real.
The reluctance of anyone to do this is fascinating in itself. But maybe I am making a big ask of homeopaths. Maybe it is a lot for just one or two homeopaths to do. And maybe it will take up more resources than I anticipate. Maybe it is more the sort of experiment that can only be realistically be done in a University. I don't believe any of this, but I want to give homeopaths the benefit of the doubt, and so I am now asking Universities to take up the challenge.
There are a small number of UK universities that offer a BSc degree in Homeopathy. These courses have been heavily criticised for being unscientific and not worthy of a science degree. At least one of the Universities is struggling with its course and is holding an internal review to see if it should continue to offer the course. I am asking these Universities to take up the challenge and encourage their students to do this test.
This ought to be easy. In any science degree, students spend many hours in laboratories, doing experiments, repeating the classic results that underpin their subject and learning about experimental technique and communicating their results. Why do BSc homeopathic courses not do simple tests like this as part of the learning programme? Why do students not take part in fundamental empirical tests of their subjects, like all other science degrees? If the universities want to deflect criticism of their courses, then surely demonstrating that their courses contain basic laboratory training in the fundamental scientific aspects of the subject would remove all criticism?
This test would undoubtedly be a great way for students to think about the scientific method and the nature of evidence. More than that, if the test was successful then it would be one of the biggest breakthroughs in homeopathy in 200 years. If such a test could be replicated across the Universities then I am sure criticism of homeopath would turn to amazement and excitement.
So, what I am proposing is the following:
- I am writing to course heads and lecturers in five universities (details below) to invite them to take part in this test.
- If they accept the test, I will post them six bottles of remedies. I propose to use standard High Street 30C remedies available from Boots, Holland and Barrett etc. However, the University may propose any remedies in any potency they like and I will source them from online homeopathic pharmacies.
- The names of the remedies will be published on this site. The remedies will be dispatched in identical homeopathically ready bottles obtained from homeopathic supply companies. I will pay for the pills.
- Each of the six bottles will only be identifable by a code letter (A-F).
- I will post online an MD5 hash message digest of the code that relates each letter to each remedy with a salt to minimise attack. (Technical, but it means I cannot deny the results if they work out positive.)
- When the university has completed whatever test it likes, I will post the code so that all can check this matches the hash and that I have not cheated.
And of course, the challenge is still open to any other individual or organisation that believes can prove homeopathy is not just plain sugar pills.
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In the morning, I am sending the offer to the following Universities and staff members:
University of Central Lancashire
Kate Chatfield and Jean Duckworth
University of Westminster
Julie Smith and Sue Sternberg
University of Salford
Annette Bond
Middlesex University
Gordon Sambidge and Marcus Fernandez
Thames Valley University/Purton House
Jonathan Pool BSc (Hons) , James Fitzgerald M.Sc, M.C.H, R.S.Hom., Nicky Pool R.S.Hom., S.R.N., A.T.Psych.
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Labels: $100 challenge, homeopathy
posted by Le Canard Noir at
10:32 PM
19 Comments:
Le Canard Noir, I am currently a member of staff (Research Fellow) at Westminster, is there any part I can play in this whole thing? I would be happy to help Westminster complete the tests, play an agent role, or something similar. If there is anything let me know.
Thanks Stavros. I am not sure how you might be able to help but lets keep it in mind. An important aspect of the test is that it is all in the homeopaths hand. There need be no sceptical or outside influence. They just need to do the test in whatever way they feel is best.
LCN - just for completeness, would you mind putting up the probabilities of getting A - F correct just by guessing?
Certainly, they will not answer. As usual. So - it is wasting of time.
If my maths serves me, Dr* T (which it may not) then The probability should be 1/6!. (1 over 6 factorial, I'm not getting excited: 1/6 * 1/5 * 1/4 etc. )
This leaves the chances at about 1 in 720. I think...
Yes Stew - the probability of a chance result would be 1 in 720. Not impossible - but unlikely. If all four universities were to replicate the result, the chance would be 1 in 269 billion.
You say 'five' unis but list four.
How did you select these four unis?
As a Berkshire lad, I was hoping Thames Valley to be a contender to win this presitgious challenge.
Rob A - yes I have missed out Purton House/Thames Valley University. Updated.
It would strike me that there is an extra incentive for universities to take part in this; I would imagine that a successful result would not only 'prove' their case (sorry) but would qualify as the initial testing for Randi's $1 million prize.
Scientific kudos... fame... riches... it's hard to see why any homeopath or university wouldn't want ot take part!
If they accept the test, I will post them six bottles of remedies. ... I will post online an MD5 hash message digest of the code that relates each letter to each remedy.
This provides room for claims that you've cheated before sending out the remedies. Things can be easily arranged to remove all possiblity of cheating.
I will post online an MD5 hash message digest of the code that relates each letter to each remedy with a salt to minimise attack.
I expect excuses that salt would ruin the remedy :) (yes, I know what salt means i this particular case).
I look forward to the continuing SILENCE -- this time specifically from homeo. quackademics.
Participate in my digg of this!
http://digg.com/general_sciences/Homeopathy_Univ_Challenge_1_Year_On_Take_2_Andy_Lewis
-r.c.
Well? Have you been overwhelmed by the huge response yet?
Absolutely nothing. Utterly underwhelmed.
I have some follow up plans.
One week later and not one of the academics has replied to me. I have sent another email asking if they need any questions answering.
In the course of writing this blog, I have written to many academics - the vast majority respond and are very helpful. Quite strange.
Sorry if I'm missing something here, but you say you're going to let them choose the remedies, you'll buy the remedies, remove the pills from the packaging, repackage and relabel them, and send them the pills ? Is that right ?
So, do all homeopathic pills look identical ? If I was a homeopath, I'd go to boots, buy one of each homeopathic remedy, throw the contents on the floor, and pick out the 6 most different looking pills. Ask you to buy those, and then I'd match them to what I bought.
What am I missing with your protocol ?
Good point Chris.
I've never actually bought any of these sugar pills, so I may be wrong but I think they all look the same, smell the same, feel the same and taste the same...there's a joke in there somewhere about ducks and quacks, but I'll resist!
The pills are identical in all respects. The pills are just carriers of the magic water that is dropped on them and allowed to evaporate.
OK, thanks guys. I figured at least that different manufacturers would have different looking pills. But, I assume that's why in your protocol you can choose to source them from different places.
Just make sure the homeopath doesn't choose 6 obscure pills each of which is only available from a different supplier.
But of course you'd check them before sending them out anyway to make sure they look the same...
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