This article can be found at Quackwatch.com. It is important to me to get out information on what constitutes as alternative medicine and why it can be fraudulent. Consumers need to be aware. You will inevitably come across those that promote cures for cancer and other ailments.
In the article Steven Barrett, MD classifies Alternative medicine in three different ways:
- Genuine -- these alternatives have met science based criteria for safety and effectiveness
- Experimental -- these alternatives are unproven but have a plausible rationale and are undergoing responsible investigation.
- Questionable -- these alternatives are groundless and lack a scientifically plausible rationale.
Another way Dr. Barrett describes the different alternatives methods are:
- Those that work
- Those that don't work
- Those we are not sure about
Most of the alternatives fall into the --Those we are not sure about category.
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Under the rules of science, those that make claims bear the burden of proof. It is their responsibility to conduct suitable studies and report them in sufficient detail to permit evaluation and confirmation by others. Some alternative advocates want to change the rules. Alternative promoters may regard personal experience, subjective judgment, and emotional satisfaction as proof of their product being effective. They rely on these methods without conducting scientific studies, they use anecdotes and testimonials as evidence.
It is important to be aware and investigate and research any alternative methods that may spark your interest. You don't want to cause harm to yourself, waste money on products or methods that do not do what they claim.
Just remember that anecdotes and testimonials are not evidence of a product or service being effective.
1. I am the blogger of this post and I beg to differ.
As far as my post says -- something that is a questionable alternative is groundless and lacks science to back it up.
Chemotherapy meets criteria for safety and effectiveness by the FDA before it is given to patients.
If you are concerned about the site I mentioned then why not explain why?
There are many clinical trials in their beginning Phases that are not tested against another chemotherapies.
I am looking foward to more targeted therapies in the future, of course. Chemotherapy is hard on the body, I know. I have been through it.
We just have to be aware of what is out there. Anyone can say a product does this or that and get away with it.
Kristi Collins
Posted at 9:33AM on Aug 7th 2007 by Kristi Collins