TOP 100 SCIENCE SITES
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| In defence of homeopathy As someone who has researched and published on the nocebo and placebo effect in homeopathy, I wonder why Ben Goldacre is so sure homeopaths cannot also be nocebo researchers (Bad science, 28 November). He may well be right that homeopathy does not work through the physical power of its pills. But if therapies were banned from the NHS not because they didn't work, but because they did not work through physical mechanisms, there would be no counselling or psychotherapy available. It seems to me that homeopaths are in a great position to say something interesting about both the placebo and the nocebo effects; and that it is those who seek to ban homeopathy from the NHS who live in a "reductionist one-dimensional" world.Bob WithersBrighton, East Sussex• If only patient satisfaction were the same as effectiveness (Letters, 30 November). Recently a friend of mine went to a local holistic clinic advertising "Stop Smoking in 24 Hours". She was smoking again in two days. "Would you go back there?" I asked. "Yes," she said, "they were very nice people." I asked the therapist how she knew the treatment worked. The therapist replied that she didn't do follow-up calls because it was a bit intrusive – but no one had ever come back to complain. As a responsible scientist, I rest my case.Professor Graham DaveySchool of psychology, University of Sussex• Earlier this year the World Health Organisation, in response to a letter from Voice of Young Science, condemned homeopathic practitioners who promote worthless remedies for malaria, tuberculosis and a range of other serious infectious diseases. Such behaviour is both mad and lethal. It is entirely irresponsible to suggest that any treatment promoted to the general public does not need scientific support.Roger FiskenBedale, North Yorkshire HealthNHSMedical researchguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Vital Signs: AWARENESS: Nearsightedness Rising in U.S., Study Says The share of Americans ages 12 to 54 who needed corrective lenses for distance vision was 42 percent in 1999-2004, up from 25 percent three decades earlier. feeds.nytimes.com |
125 pilot whales die on NZ beaches, 43 saved WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- Some 125 pilot whales died in New Zealand after stranding on beaches over the weekend - but vacationers and conservation workers managed to coax 43 others back out to sea.... hosted.ap.org |
Books of The Times: Conservation as a Matter of Managing People A continent-hopping examination of the rewilding movement, which stresses the restoration of animal habitats and the importance of migration corridors. feeds.nytimes.com |
In pictures Sniffer dogs: The conservationist's best friend news.bbc.co.uk |