tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387284174922871714.post551634093408744256..comments2024-01-27T00:32:05.370+00:00Comments on Paul Canning: A respectful disagreement with Ben Goldacre (and Jack Pickard)paulocanninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499916652508144662noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387284174922871714.post-52088979117594775432010-07-28T04:13:51.147+01:002010-07-28T04:13:51.147+01:00New Breitling Watches - Another Timekeeping Le...New <b><a href="http://www.watchesbreitling.com/" rel="nofollow">Breitling Watches</a></b> - Another Timekeeping Legend is born: The iconic <b><a href="http://www.watchesbreitling.com/breitling-aeromarine.html" rel="nofollow">Breitling Aeromarine</a></b> line has been recently enlarged by the new Montbrillant Legende chronograph. 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It is simply not in some people's interests to invest in establishing why some alternative therapies work or which might (apart from those wanting to make a buck or two).Paul Canninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17499916652508144662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387284174922871714.post-15537851651069566612009-06-07T11:33:07.097+01:002009-06-07T11:33:07.097+01:00That's not really a disagreement :-)My point -...That's not <em>really</em> a disagreement :-)<br><br>My point - which I'm sure you'd agree with - is that alternative medicine should not be used <strong>instead</strong> of tested, effective conventional treatments. <br><br>I accept, in the circumstances you paint, that conventional medicines are not always available (whether through financial means or other). If they aren't available, the 'instead' clause doesn't really apply... <br><br>When 'alternative' therapies can be tested and <em>proven</em> to work better than placebo (as you say, that's not always cheap; it's not always easy either, given the complexity of the placebo effect), they would tend to become 'conventional'...<br><br>Nor do I think all 'alternative therapies' are rubbish. I am deeply sceptical of homeopathy, because repeated tests have not shown anything better than placebo for what is effectively <em>water</em>, but I am quite prepared to believe any substance with a pharmacologically active agent might have effects greater than placebo. But it might also have significant side effects if used improperly - which is why <em>if you have a choice</em>, I believe you're better off with the conventional stuff...JackPhttp://www.thepickards.co.uknoreply@blogger.com