Newsweek editorial on Alternative Medicine including Homeopathy

[Roger]

Jerry Adler refers to homeopathy several times in the
context of his editorial:
It's not too soon to start thinking about New Year's resolutions, and here's mine, as a medical writer: I will not report on any amazing new treatments for anything, unless they were tested in large, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials published in high-quality peer-reviewed medical journals. If that means not telling NEWSWEEK's readers about, say, a new magnetized-water cure for osteoporosis, cancer and autism—well, there are infomercials to fill that gap. The risk that I might overlook the next Lipitor is outweighed by the danger of hyping the next laetrile, the discredited 1970s-era miracle cancer drug made from apricot pits that failed to cure Steve McQueen.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/73283

Roger

[Irene de Villiers]

[http://www.newsweek.com/id/73283]

Diddums.
And I shall not report on any amazing health improvement results unless
they are individualized to the person or animal who is ill, the medicine
has no side effects, and it builds resistance to recurrence instead of
just making symptoms seem invisible for a while.
And Mr Adler I challenge you to find even ONE such event that meets YOUR
criteria as well.

If you find none - then obviously your criteria are artificial and
useless for measuring improved health or efficacy of medicine.

Namaste,
Irene
--
Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.
P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.
www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)
"Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it."

[John Harvey]

That puts his criteria in perspective, Irene; well said. Go get him!

John

[Shannon Nelson]

Actually, as a standard for advertisement to the public of potentially
dangerous drugs, it's not a bad standard.

[Shiv Asthana]

Irene - Excellent criteria to consider before endorsing any health related news.
Shiv
Rxhomeo, Inc
www.rxhomeo.com
John Harvey wrote:

[Dale Moss]

Irene,
I trust you sent this to Newsweek!
Peace,
Dale

[Dale Moss]

Here's my two-cents, already e-mailed to Newsweek:

If Jerry Adler were running for office, I'd think the pharmaceutical industry had just made a hefty donation to his campaign. Apparently he is unaware of how reputable medical journals (and magazines that accept drug ads) relaxed their standards in the past decade as research independent of drug-company financing became a species on the verge of extinction.

By adopting "large, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials" as his gold standard for medical advice, Adler is positioning himself to trumpet the next Propulsid, Chloromycetin,Vioxx, or hormone replacement therapy, all hailed and lavishly promoted - until deadly side effects forced a halt to their over-marketing.

In disparaging all alternative medicine Adler shows his ignorance. Homeopathy and acupuncture have been around a long time, two hundred years in the case of the former and many thousand for the latter. They have lasted because they work. What doesn't work is not likely to endure - and that includes faddish conventional treatments.

In the days before antibiotics, it was homeopaths, not conventional physicians, who were most successful in treating the cholera epidemics of Europe or the Spanish Flu of 1918-19. As MRSA and other antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria take over the globe, we may well find ourselves needing their skills more than ever.
Peace,

Dale

[Irene de Villiers]

Dale Moss wrote:

Not directly to Newsweek but I posted it in the comments section on
the article web page exactly as I posted it on Minutus - including my
siglines. Most people are writing anonymously - I don't believe in that.
I think something signed openly, carries more weight.
Namaste,
Irene
--
Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.
P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.
www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)
"Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it."

[Soroush Ebrahimi]

Power to your KEYBOARD!
We are having fun on
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... 2224922,00. html

Regards

Soroush

[Tanya Marquette]

very well said.
tanya