There’s a business in my neck of the woods called Homeopathy Plus! run by Fran Sheffield, a long-time devotee and sometime spokesperson for homeopathy, or as I like to think of it, the centuries-old art of flogging questionable remedies for nebulous and subjective concerns.
Homeopathy Plus! was found in breach of the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code in 2011 for claims made on its website about the effectiveness of so-called ‘homeoprophylaxis’ as an alternative to proper, tested, scientifically plausible vaccines. The TGA ordered Homeopathy Plus! to publish a retraction on their website, which the company promptly ignored before continuing to sell vibrated water as an impossible remedy for deadly diseases.
This situation, to me, epitomises the of attitude of so many
complementary and alternative practitioners - that what they do and sell is far more important that
whatever “science” has “proven”; or what the TGA considers "unlawful"; or what the ACCC considers “misleading”; or what the Advertising Standards Board considers "deceptive".
Now I have a particular question for Homeopathy Plus! regarding their business name. I need to ask, plus what? Homeopathy is nothing more than plain water that’s been
through a complex process of imaginary magicking and potentisation and behaves
precisely the way any other, less expensive placebo behaves. In essence,
Homeopathy is nothing. Presumably, Homeopathy
Plus! sells more than nothing, or
else they’d simply be charlatans and rip-off merchants. I suspect that the clue
lies in the “Plus!” part of the moniker. So I’m really curious – what does Homeopathy Plus! sell besides nothing?
Plus what? Pray tell Ms Sheffield,
Homeopathy plus what?
Homeopathy plus everything that medicine is not?
Homeopathy plus praying?
Homeopathy plus lies?
Plus a principle to which no law of chemistry applies?
Homeopathy plus water?
Homeopathy plus air?
Homeopathy plus molecules of stuff that isn’t there?
Homeopathy plus smiling?
Plus a nice pat on the head?
Plus rejecting proper science ‘til your patient’s nearly
dead?
Homeopathy plus sugar?
Homeopathy plus fraud?
Homeopathy plus bottles whacked against a leathered board?
Surely “Plus” applies to something
In your little online shop.
Otherwise you’re simply dodgy, and it’s time for you to stop.
Homeopathy + nothing = nothing
ReplyDelete'A complex process of imaginary magicking',as always Shell, you are my hero. I'm going through the paperwork for training up as an ethics teacher - are you going to do the course? Two days big-city training and then you need to be available for one lesson period a week.
ReplyDeleteGarn Shell. Garn. Maybe we can do the same training intake together!
Shel, you are on fire!
DeleteI have nothing of value to contribute but I have to share my excitement, that this quack is named Fran Sheffield, just like The Nanny after her wedding. If that doesn't undermine this woman's credibility, what could?
ReplyDeleteAs a regular user of Homoepathics from Homoepathy Plus that has studied it Shirl, just suggesting science may not know everything yet and some traditions are worth exploring before banishing...Deags
ReplyDeleteI agree that traditions are worth exploring before banishing. Homeopathy has been explored, studied, tested and analysed many times over many years. No reliable study has yet to find any measurable effect beyond placebo.
ReplyDeleteIf people are happy to spend money on products that cannot work according to any known principle of biology, chemistry or physics, then they have the freedom to do so.
My experience with using homeopathy has led me to different conclusions to yours, Deags. So be it.
As far as Homeopathy Plus is concerned, I find their claims that homeopathy can treat fatal and highly contagious conditions like Pertussis and Malaria distasteful, dishonest and dangerous.
OMG what a tragedy to hear you deflame Fran Sheffield; such an amazing person and gifted therapist and researcher. I have known Fran professionally for 10 years and have consulted her numerous times after exploring all options within traditional medicine; with great success. Jump onto her website and read case studies of children with autism who have experienced remarkable improvement and recovery. I'm sure their parents would disagree with your unethical judgement. Ignorance is no excuse. Homeopathy works at a quantum level - the science of physics.
ReplyDeletelolz http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1103086/fromItemId/142
ReplyDelete