January 9, 2004
Crossing Over Crosses Over, More Dr. Novey Nonsense, A Vet Speaks Up, Moonrise Question, Norway's PM, Way Back Machine, Zodiacal Judaism, Repairing Horoscopes, Ouija Refund, Lipan Jr., Magnetic Kid, Stumping the Spirits, Scientology Quackery, and Ninth-Century Randi...? Last week we ran Part One of a book review by reader Bruce Scott. Here's Part Two, the conclusion: There are claims made for Therapeutic Touch, Iridology, Reiki, Homeopathy and Applied Kinesiology that seem like they would qualify for your [JREF] challenge. There are sixty-some modalities covered in the book, so I'm sure that testable claims are made in several other chapters as well. Yes, they're all eligible, Bruce. But I'm not going to sit here waiting for applications to pour in on these subjects.... Agreed. I'm seriously shocked that homeopathy should be prescribed for any ailment, but especially for serious conditions such as those mentioned here. This is totally, irredeemably presumptuous, and unprofessional behavior. Reader Scott has done well to inform us of these failings on the part of Dr. Novey, and I certainly hope that this review comes to the attention of those who can do something about the statements made in this book. Mr. Scott continues: Dr. Novey also points to inexperience in study design among alternative medicine practitioners. "Many alternative therapies are only newly emerging from their counterculture. The creation of properly designed and controlled studies is a learned skill and requires the same degree of rigorous thinking for alternative therapies as for their mainstream counterparts. These skills are not learned overnight." | |
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