I Wonder Why This Number Is Rising So...
Politics2 mins ago
With the latest testing:
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13421279,00.html
and last year's BBC2 Horizon "Double Blind" Randi $1m Challenge:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/2002/homeopathyqa.shtml
Will the peddlers of this mumbo jumbo now come clean?
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I agree that a lot of the stuff is a load of mumbo jumbo BUT, I also honestly think that a lot of medical cures are psychosomatic and so if people believe that it's helping them, and want to spend their money on it, and the thought that it's helping ACTUALLY helps, then let them carry on I say! (wow - long sentence, sorry!)
It might sound stupid, but although the "remedies" might not physically help, if the mental and emotional boost is given, then that's something people are prepared to pay for these days - so it's sort of possible to justify these products continuing to be on offer.
Hope that makes sense. Of course these people won't admit to it though - and lots of people will be brought forward to give testimonies to contradict the reports you've linked to. If I was selling water and people believed it was wine, I'd keep schtum!! :-)
If you're ill and you go and get treatment and afterwards you're better, who gives a f*** what it's called or why it happened? If had a tumour and I was treated and afterwards I didn't have it, would I care if someone said 'well it was just the placebo effect so it doesn't count'. No I wouldn't. I'd just be thinking 'Good. I don't have a tumour any more'.
i think the problem is that the way that we test conventional medicines (ie double blind placebo controlled randomised trial) isn't very useful for measuring alternative therapies. THere is so much anecdotal evidence, there must be something to them - but someone will have to invent a new way of testing them. Although the convential RCT did work for St. John's wort and now that is widely prescribed.
The problem is that we want to make sure people don't spend their money under false pretences, and good solid evidence is needed. unfortunately there isn't a whole lot of money in alternative therapies until there's solid evidence, and there won't be any solid evidence until there's money for innovative research. Doh!
I think they should do some studies to make sure that they are all safe, and for interactions with conventional medications which people might be taking. Then just leave them on sale, so that people can try them if they like.
If I ever win the lottery maybe I'll do the research myself.
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