LordSnooty

I can't see any other threads about this - did any Brits see Horizon tonight? It was about homeopathy, and looked into the claims of 'water memory' and other such hokum. It will probably end up being shown in the US fairly soon, since I think Horizon is shown there (possibly with a different name).

In the programme, the makers put together a top band of scientists and attempted to repeat a recent study that had supposedly given favourable results in favour of homeopathy. Randi was on hand to oversee events, and his $1 million was on the line.

Naturally, the test results were exactly as expected from chance alone, and the theory was soundly discredited.

It's about time people started criticising homeopathy in this country. It's a nasty little con and it gets a lot of exposure in the media - where, naturally, it is treated without any skepticism. Most people are astonished when I tell them that homeopathic 'remedies' are just sugar pills.

Anyway, was interested to see if anyone had any comments.

Cheers,

Paul

Mad Kally

Thanks for the information. I hope it's shown here in the US soon. We've had a few discussions on this subject in the past. groan

<a href="http://iidb.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=57&t=000246" target="_blank"> Homeopathy </a> and here's another <a href="http://iidb.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=57&t=000294" target="_blank"> thread. </a>

Kally

Doubting Didymus

I never realised Kally could kick so much arse.

Oolon Colluphid

Shitshitshitshit! That was last night?! Buggeration, missed it!

I'll have to wait for the transcript; see here for more info on the programme though:
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/</a>

DT

LordSnooty

Actually, that first thread is quite shocking. A large number of otherwise rational people seem quite happy to believe that homeopathy might have some real effects. It's the reverse of the usual atheist/theist situation, with the 'freethinkers' sticking up for a silly delusion.

Paul

LordSnooty

This may be horribly against the rules to even mention, but I do have a digital copy of this programme that I recorded on my PC, if that's any use.

Paul

Oolon Colluphid

That would be wonderful! I'm sure it's very naughty though. My email addy is in my profile....

DT

DMB

Homeopathy has been around in Britain for over two hundred years and has benefited from the support of the Royal family over many generations.

The media in Britain are generally uncritical because the vast majority of journalists are innumerate and scientifically illiterate. One of them, Simon Jenkins -- a former editor of The Times -- even writes regular articles complaining about the fact that children at school are taught science at all.

{edited to correct crappy typing}

[ November 27, 2002: Message edited by: DMB ]</p>

Boro Nut

I watched it. Homeopathy is based on the pricipal that you can dilute a substance beyond the point that it has any statistical chance of a molecule of the original substance being in it, yet still produce the same effects as the original substance. In effect, the whole principle has no substance. I've always believed the whole idea was pure shite right from the beginning, but after watching last night's informative episode I now believe its complete wank.

Boro Nut

But what a marketting strategy! If only Proctor & Gamble had thought of it first. All that money for drugs without the millions spent on R&D, or the bother of having to make any expensive drugs. It's BRILLIANT! It's even better than the sushi scam. And no more lawsuits either. Though I suppose there will always be some twat who will prove they are alergic to water.

Stephen T-B

Rationality has nothing to do with Homeopathy, as it has nothing to do with religious faith, or acupuncture or astrology.
I saw the programme and thought it wonderful, but lknow that it will not make the slightest difference to the high regard in which this nonsense is held by influential people - including some properly-trained doctors.
Its rationale is idiotic: I read in Skeptic magazine, so it must be true, that a cure for hyperactivity is a bee-sting preparation because bees are "busy," and in homeeopathy, like is treated with like.
But try telling someone who's used a homeopathic treatment and been 'cured' by it that it's just stuff-and-nonsense...