Balance the debate on Homeopathy

[Soroush Ebrahimi]

From: Brenda O'Brien
http://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/355916

Professor Robert Hahn a very reputable non-homeopath scientist has challenged some negative research results and found them to be biased because they ‘rely on extensive invalidation of studies, adoption of virtual data, or inappropriate statistical methods’ .

Recent letter published in The Independent 15th June 2015
Balance the debate on homeopathy
At last, an article which is less antagonistic to homeopathy than usual – an interesting and fair report from Charlie Cooper (10 June). However, as always, Edzard Ernst’s name and research are mentioned.

Professor Ernst has been highly critical of homeopathy in the past 25 years. His position at Exeter University gave him a great platform to preach from. But his views were constantly challenged, and now his work has been examined by another professor – one with no vested interest in homeopathy.

Professor Robert Hahn is a Swedish physician, scientist and professor of anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine at Linkoping University. His curiosity was aroused by a highly emotional debate about homeopathy on Swedish television. When he examined work by Ernst and other high-profile critics of homeopathy he stated: “I’ve never seen a science writer who was so obviously biased as Edzard Ernst.”

Ernst’s criticisms of homeopathy have always been reported by the media, but there is much good evidence of its efficacy from other researchers which is rarely or never reported.

Professor Hahn concluded that clinical trials of homeopathic remedies show that they are most often superior to placebo, and that researchers claiming the opposite rely on extensive invalidation of studies, adoption of virtual data, or inappropriate statistical methods.

Jane Hurley
Teignmouth, Devon

see also http://www.homeopathyheals.me.uk/site/f ... are-biased