Comments on: Homeopath Struck Off. Shock! http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html Experiments and Thoughts on Quackery, Health Beliefs and Pseudoscience Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:47:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: John H http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8747 John H Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:15:15 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8747 There is a load of mindless drivel about HY on the radio London 94.9 programme at the moment. Sparked by the WHO statement that it is dangerous quackery for AIDS, cancer etc. <br /><br />Usual catalogue of "it worked for me".<br /><br />"I have been using a 6X remedy which cured my cystitis. I have been using it for 40 years now". Perhaps a different meaning of "cure" to the rest of us.<br /><br />Plus an actual medical doctor saying that the Beinveniste work proved HY - forgetting (or even worse, not knowing) that this has been thoroughly and utterly discredited (not least because a pro-HY researcher was doctoring the numbers).<br /><br />I despair. There is a load of mindless drivel about HY on the radio London 94.9 programme at the moment. Sparked by the WHO statement that it is dangerous quackery for AIDS, cancer etc.

Usual catalogue of "it worked for me".

"I have been using a 6X remedy which cured my cystitis. I have been using it for 40 years now". Perhaps a different meaning of "cure" to the rest of us.

Plus an actual medical doctor saying that the Beinveniste work proved HY – forgetting (or even worse, not knowing) that this has been thoroughly and utterly discredited (not least because a pro-HY researcher was doctoring the numbers).

I despair.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8742 Anonymous Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:18:48 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8742 Homeopathy should never be the subject of a statutory regulation scheme.<br /><br />Firstly, it is quite wrong to regulate a 'belief'. Those homeopaths who are not regulated by being members of the medical, nursing, dental or other HPC regulated professions (as some are) should not be accorded the status of a separate 'health care profession'. A profession has to profess something, not simply a fairy tale like belief in idle fancy with no acceptance amongst the broad consensus of scientists.<br /><br />Yes I know there is some 'evidence' and I am sure many homeopaths have sincerely held beliefs. I support their rights to hold those beliefs. But regulation as a profession would be misleading to patients who might be persuaded to turn to homeopathy, yet not having sufficient knowledge to make an informed decision.<br /><br />Secondly, regulation would deprive patients of being able to turn to an 'alternative' to having care in the hands of regulated professionals.<br /><br />And it is an 'alternative' a number of patients want. Their choice.<br /><br />Those who want to be regulated can study and join one of the many regulated professions.<br /><br />As I have. Homeopathy should never be the subject of a statutory regulation scheme.

Firstly, it is quite wrong to regulate a 'belief'. Those homeopaths who are not regulated by being members of the medical, nursing, dental or other HPC regulated professions (as some are) should not be accorded the status of a separate 'health care profession'. A profession has to profess something, not simply a fairy tale like belief in idle fancy with no acceptance amongst the broad consensus of scientists.

Yes I know there is some 'evidence' and I am sure many homeopaths have sincerely held beliefs. I support their rights to hold those beliefs. But regulation as a profession would be misleading to patients who might be persuaded to turn to homeopathy, yet not having sufficient knowledge to make an informed decision.

Secondly, regulation would deprive patients of being able to turn to an 'alternative' to having care in the hands of regulated professionals.

And it is an 'alternative' a number of patients want. Their choice.

Those who want to be regulated can study and join one of the many regulated professions.

As I have.

]]> By: V. http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8729 V. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:08:41 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8729 The notion of a homeopathic code of ethics is delightfully entertaining. The notion of a homeopathic code of ethics is delightfully entertaining.

]]> By: Warhelmet http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8728 Warhelmet Sat, 15 Aug 2009 10:12:13 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8728 Feh. Well, while the SoH make an example of Ms. Christie, other homeopaths continue to act unethically and break the rules of their own trade bodies. Like others, I wonder if she crossed someone in the SoH... Feh. Well, while the SoH make an example of Ms. Christie, other homeopaths continue to act unethically and break the rules of their own trade bodies. Like others, I wonder if she crossed someone in the SoH…

]]> By: BadlyShavedMonkey http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8727 BadlyShavedMonkey Sat, 15 Aug 2009 06:57:45 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8727 Has anyone actually asked the SoH? In keeping with a desire to be open and honest in the practice of homeopathy I can see no good reason for the information to be kept secret. The GMC and RCVS publish the details of disciplinary cases so that the public can see justice being done. Has anyone actually asked the SoH? In keeping with a desire to be open and honest in the practice of homeopathy I can see no good reason for the information to be kept secret. The GMC and RCVS publish the details of disciplinary cases so that the public can see justice being done.

]]> By: vIQleS http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8726 vIQleS Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:40:49 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8726 Seems more likely to me that she did something to piss someone off - the rules quoted are just post-hoc justification... Seems more likely to me that she did something to piss someone off – the rules quoted are just post-hoc justification…

]]> By: hat_eater http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8725 hat_eater Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:00:17 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8725 Or maybe it was this bit: "She saw that homeopathy in conjunction with a healthy diet, nutritional and herbal supplementation, embalmed people..." <br />What? I really read it like that the first time! Or maybe it was this bit: "She saw that homeopathy in conjunction with a healthy diet, nutritional and herbal supplementation, embalmed people…"
What? I really read it like that the first time!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8724 Anonymous Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:54:35 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8724 I think I've found her <a href="http://www.barnsburyclinic.com/alexchristie.htm" rel="nofollow">crime</a>.<br /><br />"Combining homeopathy with supplements Alex offers an effective program which does not require following the highly restrictive ‘exclusion diet’. Alex now specializes in Candida."<br /><br />Combining homeopathy with something that might have an effect. Ugh! How could she? <br /><br />Nash I think I've found her crime.

"Combining homeopathy with supplements Alex offers an effective program which does not require following the highly restrictive ‘exclusion diet’. Alex now specializes in Candida."

Combining homeopathy with something that might have an effect. Ugh! How could she?

Nash

]]> By: gimpy http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8723 gimpy Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:58:22 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8723 Clarinda, I think there is little doubt that a sacrifice to appease the Gods of regulation was intended. But, it would be desirable to know the nature of the sacrifice's sins. What is the modern day magic cults criteria - presumably being a red haired maiden has been supplanted by modern crimes? <br />Sadly the SoH's openness is akin to that of the eternal virgin. Clarinda, I think there is little doubt that a sacrifice to appease the Gods of regulation was intended. But, it would be desirable to know the nature of the sacrifice's sins. What is the modern day magic cults criteria – presumably being a red haired maiden has been supplanted by modern crimes?
Sadly the SoH's openness is akin to that of the eternal virgin.

]]> By: Clarinda http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8722 Clarinda Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:05:32 +0000 http://www.quackometer.net/wpblog/2009/08/homeopath-struck-off-shock.html#comment-8722 Surely this example is an attempt to copy the function and accountablity of properly constituted Royal Colleges and Institutions representing the proven scientific practice and professional responsibility of their members? These alternative cults need to attempt this in order to appear to be in the same league - except for the proven scientific practice and professional responsibility bits! This is purely a sacrificial exercise to try to demonstrate they have standards.....in what exactly, remains unfathomable. Surely this example is an attempt to copy the function and accountablity of properly constituted Royal Colleges and Institutions representing the proven scientific practice and professional responsibility of their members? These alternative cults need to attempt this in order to appear to be in the same league – except for the proven scientific practice and professional responsibility bits! This is purely a sacrificial exercise to try to demonstrate they have standards…..in what exactly, remains unfathomable.

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