CBC Marketplace - Homeopathy: Cure or Con? Part 1 of 2

For more skeptical coverage of bogus products like homeopathy go to http://www.skepticnorth.com/ and http://www.ottawaskeptics.org/the-rea...

Show description:
Erica Johnson investigates one of the country's fastest growing alternative health treatments: homeopathy. Ontario homeopaths are about to become the first province in Canada to regulate homeopathy — lending credibility to this unproven practice.

Canada's leading consumer ally takes a long hard look at the theories, and the remedies. For the first time in Canada, we conduct a test of homeopathic medicines, investigating the science behind these so-called medicines. In light of our results, we ask both the Ontario government and Health Canada why they are lending credibility to the homeopathic industry. Johnson also meets up with a rep from the world's leading manufacturer of homeopathic medicines, who admits that even the company says how homeopathty works is a mystery.

Watch, as we witness a Vancouver group of skeptics (CFI) taking part in a group overdose of homeopathic remedies. Perhaps most disturbing we learn that some homeopaths are treating cancer patients with homeopathic remedies. A leading cancer specialist says there is no role for homeopathy in the treatment of cancer, that it is a "scam that is not evidence-based."

• Category

  Science & Technology

[conman2317]

somewhat of a "mystery" 8:11 - Right then and there, it is easy to understand how big of a scam this ridiculous shit is. Its just as fake as religion, well I don't think you can get much more false than that, but you can see it when people say "God works in mysterious ways", BIGGEST COPOUT OF ALL TIME.

[yenmano]

The question has given me quite a bit to think about. But it's pretty clear that men are a growing segment as well for homeopathic remedies, as well. Further, the few qualitative interviews show that people go to homeopathy often because they present with a problem that medicine was unable to help with.

[yenmano]

I don't have literature, just speculation. For one, women tend to take charge of their health more and visit their GP. Women who are wealthier, can therefore spend money on these homeopathic consults. Many women are more interested in preventative health which is something homeopathy attempts to sell. Men tend to not until the age of onset of chronic diseases.

With such a large market, adverts may seek out this demographic and Oprah certainly doesn't help.

[hackerhell900]

But my question is why have middle/upper class white WOMEN become the politically powerful group and not MEN who are in an equivalent social strata?

[yenmano]

Good question.

This isn't exactly true. Immigrant men and women from Asia, Africa, Central and South America have always been using homeopathy or other traditional/indigenous medicines. What is changed is that women - particularly middle class/upper class (white) women have become politically powerful group and have increased the visibility of homeopathy in US/CAN. Marketing strategies to women are evident.

Women (in general) are pseudo-science believers... to the same extent that men are. :P

[hackerhell900]

WHY ARE MOST HOMEOPATHS IN AMERICA WOMEN? Seriously, this is something that has been really stunning me. I see many more women pseudoscience believers. Why?

[madelena1234]

Yawn. blah blah blah

[Jason Yu]

Please withhold more comments. My comments are deranged? LOL search google or a textbook. You are the epitome of stupidity.