An Oxford University college has been accused of inadvertently 'lending credibility to quackery' by agreeing to host a conference on the 'alternative therapy' of homeopathy, reports The Independent.
The Good Thinking Society, a charity which claims to promote rational thinking and battle “pseudo-science”, has said Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, will be “adding gloss to a pseudo-scientific event” by hosting the annual general meeting of the Society of Homeopaths on 18 March.
One of the star guests at the Oxford college will be a homeopath described as “well known for her thorough, in-depth anamnesis where the ‘resonance’ of patient and practitioner leads to finding the correct remedy for the disturbed vital force”.
The report says Lady Margaret Hall, which lists the former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger as its principal and Harry Potter actress Emma Watson as a visiting fellow, has stressed that it is merely renting out space in its grounds and none of its academics will be attending the society’s AGM.
But Michael Marshall, project director of the Good Thinking Society, is quoted in the report as saying: “It’s pretty clear the Society of Homeopaths is seeking venues with a connection to science and learning, to academia and prestige. They are using them to add gloss to their pseudo-scientific event.
“They are not going to the local Marriott hotel and hiring a conference room. They are going to Oxford University.
“Lady Margaret Hall should think twice before lending credibility to such groups. We urge them to filter out events that promote disproven and potentially dangerous quackery that run directly contrary to what their college is all about: learning and intellectual rigour.”
Marshall insisted: “Homeopathy has no beneficial effects at all.” Supporters of the alternative therapy, however, have claimed it can help with everything from asthma and ear infections to depression and arthritis.
The report says the Society of Homeopaths has admitted that “the mechanism by which homeopathic remedies work are not yet fully understood,” while insisting: “There is plenty of evidence from randomised controlled trials demonstrating that individualised remedies show a difference from placebos.” The official NHS Choices website, however, advises: “There has been extensive investigation of the effectiveness of homeopathy. There is no good-quality evidence that homeopathy is effective as a treatment for any health condition.”
The report says the Society of Homeopaths – which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority and describes itself as “the largest organisation registering homeopaths in the UK” – declined to comment. But in announcing the Oxford AGM on its website, it described the event as “a chance to get together with colleagues and share knowledge”.
The institute also says it has developed “a number of new homeopathic remedies which are being used to achieve a high level of cure”.
The report says the Good Thinking Society’s criticism of the AGM venue appears to be part of a long-running feud with homeopathy and the Society of Homeopaths.
[link url="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/homeopathy-oxford-university-conference-lady-margaret-hall-alternative-medicine-pseudoscience-a7605801.html"]The Independent report[/link]