Criticisms of alternative medicine
In an article entitled "Should We Maintain an Open Mind about Homeopathy?" published in the '' American Journal of Medicine'', Michael Baum and Edzard Ernst—writing to other physicians—wrote some strong criticisms ofHomeopathy is among the worst examples of faith-based medicine... These axioms f homeopathyare not only out of line with scientific facts but also directly opposed to them. If homeopathy is correct, much of physics, chemistry, and pharmacology must be incorrect... To have an open mind about homeopathy or similarly implausible forms of alternative medicine (eg, Bach Flower remedies, spiritual healing, crystal therapy) is therefore not an option. We think that a belief in homeopathy exceeds the tolerance of an open mind. We should start from the premise that homeopathy cannot work and that positive evidence reflects publication bias or design flaws until proved otherwise... We wonder whether any kind of evidence would persuade homeopathic physicians of their self-delusion and challenge them to design a methodologically sound trial, which if negative would finally persuade them to shut up shop... Homeopathy is based on an absurd concept that denies progress in physics and chemistry. Some 160 years after '' Homeopathy and Its Kindred Delusions'', an essay by Oliver Wendell Holmes, we are still debating whether homeopathy is a placebo or not... Homeopathic principles are bold conjectures. There has been no spectacular corroboration of any of its founding principles... After more than 200 years, we are still waiting for homeopathy "heretics" to be proved right, during which time the advances in our understanding of disease, progress in therapeutics and surgery, and prolongation of the length and quality of life by so-called allopaths have been breathtaking. The true skeptic therefore takes pride in closed mindedness when presented with absurd assertions that contravene the laws of thermodynamics or deny progress in all branches of physics, chemistry, physiology, and medicine.He has also described homoeopathy as a "cruel deception".Hilly Janes, Editor of Body&Soul
Anti-alternative: The emeritus professor of surgery at University College London wants alternative medicine banned in the NHS. Claim to fame: He described homoeopathy as a "cruel deception" in an open letter to health authority bosses. Lasting legacy: Has given a spur to the NHS to be more consistent in what it provides free and what it doesn't.In a letter from Michael Baum and 13 other scientists to the chief executives of all 476 acute and primary care trusts, they wrote:
Re Use of ‘alternative’ medicine in theIn an open letter toNHS The National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). Since 1948, they have been funded out of general taxation. There are three systems which are referred to using the " .... We are a group of physicians and scientists who are concerned about ways in which unproven or disproved treatments are being encouraged for general use in the NHS.... While medical practice must remain open to new discoveries for which there is convincing evidence, including any branded as ‘alternative’, it would be highly irresponsible to embrace any medicine as though it were a matter of principle.... These are not trivial matters. We urge you to take an early opportunity to review practice in your own trust with a view to ensuring that patients do not receive misleading information about the effectiveness of alternative medicines. We would also ask you to write to the Department of Health requesting evidence-based information for trusts and for patients with respect to alternative medicine.Michael Baum, ''et al''
Full text of a letter from Michael Baum and 13 other scientists
to the chief executives of all 476 acute and primary care trusts to demand that only evidence-based therapies are provided free to patients. '' Sense about Science'', May 19, 2006Mark Henderson, Science Editor
NHS told to abandon alternative medicine: Top doctors say money should go to conventional treatment
''The Times ''The Times'' is a British daily national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its current name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its sister paper ''The Sunday Times'' (fo ...'', May 23, 2006. "The 13 scientists, who include some of the most eminent names in British medicine, have written to the chief executives of all 476 acute and primary care trusts to demand that only evidence-based therapies are provided free to patients."
The power of my authority comes with a knowledge built on 40 years of study and 25 years of active involvement in cancer research... Your power and authority rest on an accident of birth.Michael Baum
An open letter to the Prince of Wales: with respect, your highness, you've got it wrong
''British Medical Journal ''The BMJ'' is a weekly peer-reviewed medical trade journal, published by the trade union the British Medical Association (BMA). ''The BMJ'' has editorial freedom from the BMA. It is one of the world's oldest general medical journals. Origina ...'' 2004;329:118 (10 July),
Criticisms of breast cancer screening
Professor Baum is also critical of the breast cancer screening program and believes women are not receiving accurate and complete information on the actual benefits and risks of the procedure. This means most women are not giving informed consent for breast cancer screening. In 2010 he gave a lecture at UCL entitled, "Breast cancer Screening: Some Inconvenient Truths". In an article entitled "What are the drawbacks of breast screening?"Michael BaumWhatever the number, that one woman who benefits from a decade of screening has a life of infinite worth and if screening were as non‐toxic as wearing a seat belt there would be no case to answer. However, there is a downside to screening, namely the problem of the over‐diagnosis of "pseudo‐cancers". … (F)or every life saved ten healthy women will, as a consequence, become cancer patients and will be treated unnecessarily. These women will have either a part of their breast or the whole breast removed, and they will often receive radiotherapy and sometimes chemotherapy.
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