The Ontario Homeopathy Act: (Unicorn Parking Rules Now In Effect In Ontario)
André Picard writes for the Globe and Mail of Canada that the Ontario Homeopathy Act takes effect today, and in that, legislators in Ontario are aiding and abetting homeopathic quackery (which is the only kind of homeopathic "medicine" there is):
There is no scientific case for homeopathy. It is undiluted quackery.Edzard Ernst, an emeritus professor at the University of Exeter, who has published more than 100 papers on the subject, describes it as follows: "Homeopathy is based on the belief that 'like cures like' and that the dilution of medicine - homeopaths call the process 'potentiation' - renders it not weaker but stronger."
Homeopaths believe that the water molecules retain a "memory" of the original substance, allowing nano-doses to trigger a healing response in the body.
None of these concepts have any basis in biology, physiology or medicine. They are vestiges of centuries-ago practice, when homeopathy was an attractive alternative to bleedings, leeches and other snake-oil potions.
...If someone wants to take a magic potion to treat a cold, acne or some other banal everyday ailment, there's no harm in doing so, other than a lighter wallet. (And no benefit either.)
The problem is that, all too often, homeopathic concoctions are touted as a substitute for vaccination, or for the treatment of potentially life-threatening conditions such as asthma and cancer.
...Health Canada has taken the position that it is better to regulate the safety of homeopathic products - but not their effectiveness, as it does with prescription medicine - than to have no rules. And banning homeopathic products altogether would be hard to justify legally because, after all, the pills and potions are little more than water.
The problem, as Picard notes, is that regulating this pretend medicine gives it a veneer of legitimacy.
Homeopathy is not evidence-based. It should be marginalized, not embraced. There is no excuse for pandering to the deluded by diluting our ethics, standards and public policies.
The problem is, as always, that homeopathic remedies do work. It's called the placebo effect: if you think something is going to help, it tends to do so. Sure, homeopathy is no better than a sugar pill, but (for people who don't know better), it is, in fact, better than nothing.
This puts health care organizations in a difficult position. Ms. Murphy walks in demanding antibiotics for her horrible cold. Why not give her a homeopathic concoction? It really is likely to make her feel better. On top of that, the pharmacy earns good money on such stuff.
It's not a black-and-white issue...
a_random_guy at April 1, 2015 6:44 AM
Actually, it is very highly diluted quackery.
Ron at April 1, 2015 6:46 AM
Homeopathy is the theory that you can build up immunity to drowning in water, by taking water that drowned a person, diluting it a million-fold with MORE water, and taking a spoonful daily, until immune to drowning.
And all, for the low, low price of 49.95 for a month's supply !!
Keith Glass at April 1, 2015 6:47 AM
The other problem, other than the placebo effect, is that for the vast majority of minor complaints, you are better off letting your immune system handle it, than treating it at all.
Every single real drug has side effects that can often be worse than the illness it is trying to treat.
Tylenol is a stone cold killer, and it is over the counter.
Since Canada probably classifies a number of natural herbs as homeopathic, even though they contain real drugs, it makes sense to regulate them, or at least label them.
Isab at April 1, 2015 7:25 AM
Although not homeopathic, it now seems garlic and bile can kill MRSA. Evidently we don't know everything about everything yet.
MarkD at April 1, 2015 9:11 AM
the real problem is not the sugar pills...
once you regulate this stuff, then people will demand it be part of their healthcare, which is govt. sponsored in Canada, IIRC...
So then you go to a homeopathic doctor, who tells you what to take based on your symptomology... and sometimes it seems to work right away, and sometimes that's not it, so come back in to see the witchdoctor...
do you have ANY idea how expensive this can be... on the taxpayer dime?
SwissArmyD at April 1, 2015 9:26 AM
Certain chemical components of frankincense have been shown in a lab to kill cancer cells (so far I'm aware of studies showing success with ovarian cancer cells and melanoma) and melaleuca (tea tree oil) have been shown to kill MRSA as well as other bacteria, viruses, etc. Lots of plant components contain chemicals that can treat certain illnesses and a lot of modern medicines are made with certain chemicals extracted from plants. One of the best treatments for scars is made from onion, aspirin derived from willow bark, etc. I don't think herbs or plant essential oils are straight up quackery, although some of the diehard devotees to these treatments have made it look that way and are ridiculous in the claims they make about them. Disclaimer: I do use essential oils for some things (eucalyptus for congestion, peppermint for fevers and upset stomach, lavender to relax and sleep better, etc.) as well as use them in homemade lotions and to make the house smell pretty.
That said, essential oils and herbs are nothing like homeopathic remedies, but they all get lumped together as if they are. I've seen no scientific evidence to indicate that homeopathy does anything at all for you and the theory behind it and how it works sound bat-shit crazy and superstitious. I know a lot of people do think it works for them and I'm guessing that if it does it's all in their head (placebo effect). I got into a bit of a disagreement with an acquaintance about homeopathy the other day and about how it's irresponsible to treat an infant with homeopathy instead of needed prescription meds. It ended with her telling me I was close-minded and that I must be a stockholder of BigPharma to be promoting them so I could make more money, and that she preferred to use "safe" and "natural" remedies on her baby (poor thing ended up hospitalized with bacterial pneumonia and double ear infection because mom didn't give her the antibiotics that were prescribed because they were "poisonous").
BunnyGirl at April 1, 2015 9:59 AM
Not only a veneer of legitimacy, and being included in your taxpayer supported health care system, but ultimately a barrier to entry into the field.
You'll have to become licensed or registered to be a quack.
Hmmm...The Sith School of Homeopathy, for the the low, low fee of $499.99 you too can have a diploma in homeopathy!
Ok, cool. I'm on board. Wut?
I R A Darth Aggie at April 1, 2015 11:37 AM
Prescription drugs are not covered by provincial health plans, you need insurance for this, usually provided by an employer.
Stormy at April 1, 2015 12:00 PM
Got your homeopathic gasoline? Ammunition? Food?
Radwaste at April 1, 2015 1:49 PM
"Lots of plant components contain chemicals that can treat certain illnesses and a lot of modern medicines are made with certain chemicals extracted from plants. One of the best treatments for scars is made from onion, aspirin derived from willow bark, etc."
I don't think anyone is saying that plants can't be useful. However, if they don't have exactly the same action as the 'Big Pharma' (hate that phrase) medication they're substituting them for, it's meaningless. The things they push as vaccination substitutes have no properties at all that would give you such protection, it's magical thinking, even without the 'water memory' idea and dilution aspects added to the equation.
crella at April 1, 2015 3:15 PM
yeah, Stormy? But what about the Doctor? That's where the real money is... not getting a tube of nux vomica for $5.99 at the store.
Hope the kid is OK, Bunnygirl... had a similar problem, only the acquaintance was my [ex-]wife, and the kid was #1son. s'ok now 20 years later, but it was a near thing.
SwissArmyD at April 1, 2015 3:17 PM
Amy for some reason http://www.advicegoddess.com/ is giving me a blank page though I can get to the blog by entering it's URL
mike at April 1, 2015 5:01 PM
Certain chemical components of frankincense have been shown in a lab to kill cancer cells
So does fire, what does live animal testing show?
lujlp at April 1, 2015 5:20 PM
> http://www.advicegoddess.com/ is
> giving me a blank page though I
> can get to the blog by entering
> it's URL
Same here. www.advicegoddess.com is blank.
Coney or someone was complaining about this a couple times last week.
Crid [CridComment at Gmail] at April 1, 2015 6:58 PM
> Actually, it is very highly
> diluted quackery.
Diluted enough to make people feel better, who cares?
The nuances of the placebo effect are not small and not unimportant.
Crid [CridComment at Gmail] at April 1, 2015 7:00 PM
F'r instance.
Seriously, follow that link.
It's important to ask people people like Amy and Ron whether they want to be right, or whether they want to stop suffering.
Crid [CridComment at Gmail] at April 2, 2015 2:17 AM
"It's important to ask people people like Amy and Ron whether they want to be right, or whether they want to stop suffering."
If only it were that simple...
Radwaste at April 2, 2015 8:55 AM
I can't believe you people are so cynical.
The next thing you'll say is that there is no hole in the ozone layer over Alaska where the angels of light are descending to earth to fill everyone's depleted soul purse with crystals of healing energy!
And that's just crazy talk.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at April 2, 2015 11:25 AM
Leave a comment