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Editorial
Homeopathy - truly a water-tight solution?
For once, some logic shows in the world. MPs from the Science & Technology committee in the House of Commons have spoken out recently stating that the NHS should not continue funding clinical trials of homeopathy, and the industry of homeopathy itself, which wastes £4 million every year.
Homeopathy is the practice of heavily diluting substances in water, often to the point where there is not even a molecule of it left. The substances are chosen because they produce similar symptoms to the ailment that the patient is suffering from. It was developed in the late 1700s, when contemporary ‘scientific’ medicine still revolved around the balancing of the four humours. The idea behind it is to balance the sufferer’s ‘vital energy’. There is no scientific proof that homeopathy works, but plenty to say that it does not, with no surprise as it is usually just water. Any steps towards recovery is either coincidental or a placebo effect.
Supporters state that effects of homeopathy can be seen in animals and babies, neither of which experience placebo effects. However, this claim has had no scientific backing, and does not negate the fact that their recovery may be down to time, an independent immune system reaction or just coincidence. Others claim that if the taxpayer wants the NHS to fund homeopathy, then it is the government’s responsibility to do so. However, as David Colquhoun argued on BBC news, the taxpayer may very well want Chanel No.5 on the NHS, that doesn’t mean they should get it! There have been some poorly constructed tests carried out by homeopaths themselves, but any positive results are down to margin of error. Everything that homeopathy claims goes against everything that has been established in medicine.
Imagine how else that £4 million could be spent within the NHS. Research into treatments for severe illnesses, a new hospital, updated facilities. Although only a fraction of the NHS budget, it has been long established that homeopathy does not work, and we cannot afford to waste any money during the economic downturn, especially in an industry as important as the medical.
The issue takes a more serious turn when we consider those who rely totally on homeopathic treatment for illnesses that cannot be cured naturally for, such as cancer, for example. The use of homeopathy can delay a proper diagnosis, and therefore proper treatment, possibly costing lives - something that could so easily be avoided. It is not only a waste of money to fund and support homeopathy, but actually dangerous. The government has a responsibility to stop supporting such a practice, and those MPs who spoke out against it are the voices of reason. Although freedom of speech and a representative and equal distribution of the taxpayer’s money are both important, this has to stop when lives hang in the balance.