Horizon Program- SoH reply 1

[Rochelle]

Horizon - The Test

The Society of Homeopaths welcomes Horizon's interest in homeopathy and was
pleased with their fair presentation of the scientific dilemma of ultra-high
dilutions. Horizon highlighted conflicting evidence from laboratory tests
intended to reveal a mechanism of action for homeopathic medicine. Whilst
many replications of similar tests have given positive results(1) the
Horizon team found a negative response. Such a result cannot, however, be
used to assert that homeopathy does not work.

The Society of Homeopaths remains confident that their members offer a very
effective system of healthcare, verified in real-world studies on patients
(2) and through daily practice.

There is now a considerable body of research into the outcomes of
homeopathic treatment versus placebo and conventional medicine, across a
range of human and animal illness. The Society of Homeopaths, along with
independent researchers (3) , feel that these results justify a much larger
research effort into this fascinating form of medicine.

Jan Scholten, international homeopath says, "Homeopathy has been proven so
many times, the strange thing is it is not accepted by conventional
medicine".

Ends

Notes for Editors:
1. Much of the research over the past 15 years into the effects of
ultra-high dilutions (UHDs) on living cells (animal, human and plant) has
been ignored by the scientific community. From the many hundreds of tests
performed, the majority were positive and the minority negative. The best
overviews of all the research into UHDs are:
Schiff, Michel, 1995, The Memory of Water, Thorsons Press
Vallance, AK, 1998, Can Biological Activity be Maintained at Ultra-High
Dilution?, The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine :4:1,
pp.49-76

2. The Society of Homeopaths will be pleased to provide a full
evidence-based reference list for those who wish to know more about the
effectiveness of homeopathy. The Society is the largest professional
organisation registering homeopaths with over 2000 members.

3. Kleinjen, J, Knipschild, p, ter Riet, G, 1991, Clinical trials of
homeopathy. British Medical Journal: 302 pp.316-323

For further information please contact:
Melanie Oxley, Politics Director, 01962 773668
Mary Clarke, General Secretary, 01604 621400
www.rochellemarsden.co.uk
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