Homeopathy is NOT Medicine

Dr Simon Singh, Richard Saunders, James Randi and Dr Ian Musgrave appear on Today Tonight to express the view of science on Homeopathy.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Joseph STANWELL]

Given the fact that this video is a segment of a television show that was broadcast, over two years ago, it disgusts me that the Australian federal government, has refused to criminalise the production, distribution, sale and prescription of this complementary medicine. How many more people have to die from being denied proper medical care, because their guardians are supporters of this practice? The government must ban this one, after all, it has already banned many other dangerous practices?.

[Joseph STANWELL]

This video constitutes a powerful expose of a proven to be ineffective and dangerous substitute for science based medicine. I hope that everyone who watches this video, accepts its warning and refrains from using homeopathic remedies.

[Alex Murdoch]

It's an interesting hypothesis, I'd be interested to see the follow-up research. You know, the replication of results. It's pretty important in Science. Be sure to send me those links too, please.

I think the interesting thing here is that they hypothesize that extreme dilution is unnecessary past a certain level, which seems to contradict one of the underpinning theories of homeopathy.

Curious

[Alex Murdoch]

What do I need to do? Do you require photographic evidence?

[Alex Murdoch]

Oh, SNAP!

But you've piqued my interest. Where could I see a listing of your scientific research into homeopathy? And, no, I'm not going to buy your books. It seems as though as a commercial venture, homeopathy is certainly a rewarding career move.

[Dana Ullman]

If you were a gentleman, I would consider it, but you haven't shown this evidence. In the meantime, ever heard of a thing called a LIBRARY? You might try it for once.

[Alex Murdoch]

I'm sure you'd be willing to send me a full copy of the article for review?

[Dana Ullman]

In due respect, Alex, you're showing your lack of scholarship. I previously provided the following reference: Chikramane PS, Kalita D, Suresh AK, Kane SG, Bellare JR. Why Extreme Dilutions Reach Non-zero Asymptotes: A Nanoparticulate Hypothesis Based on Froth Flotation.

Langmuir. 2012 Nov 1.

It seems that you don't even know the journal, LANGMUIR. How embarrassing. You are not worth my time. Do your homework before you embarrass yourself further.

[Alex Murdoch]

You mean the journal "Homeopathy"? A highly respected journal in material sciences? Wow, I'd need evidence for that, too.

The problem with the study is not just that it was badly designed, but the lack of criticism within the field. If a study is released in a real respected Science Journal, there is peer review and criticism. That's how Science works and advanced. It seems that the journal "Homeopathy" is more of an echo chamber.

[Alex Murdoch]

Hey Dana! I'm right here! Do you also do this at home and with friends?

If I misrepresented your education, I apologize.

I'm not sure when you took your courses, or what your background before the MPH program was, but you should have had at least one course in Statistics. That should provide you with a basic ability to read a scientific report. What is your take on the IIT Bombay study using a different source for Control and Test solutions? Pretty basic mistake, don't you think?