Last night I spent several hours watching the The Parliamentary Science and Technology Select Committee on homeopathy.Witnesses:
Professor Jayne Lawrence - Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
Robert Wilson - British Association of Homeopathic Manufacturers
Paul Bennett - Boots
Tracey Brown - Sense About Science
Dr Ben Goldacre - The Guardian
Dr Peter Fisher - Royal London Homeopathic Hospital
Professor Edzard Ernst - Complementary Medicine Group, Peninsula Medical School
Dr James Thallon - NHS West Kent
Dr Robert Mathie - British Homeopathic Association
As it took me a little while to get through it all, I thought I’d help you out by doing a quick summary via the medium of Python. EVAN HARRIS: Evidence! Evidence! Evidence! Evidence!
ROBERT WILSON: Who are you?
EVAN HARRIS: We are the Parliamentary Science and Technology select committee who say … Evidence
ROBERT WILSON: No! Not the Parliamentary Science and Technology select committee Who Say Evidence!
EVAN HARRIS: The same!
PAUL BENNETT: Who are they?
EVAN HARRIS: We are the scrutinisers of Government Policy: Evidence, Proof, and Efficacy!
GOLDACRE: Efficacy!
ROBERT WILSON: Those who see them seldom escape regulation!
EVAN HARRIS: The Parliamentary select committee who say Evidence demand evidence to support government policy!
PAUL BENNETT: Parliamentary select committee, we are but simple snake oil salesmen who seek the profit that can be made from the credulous.
EVAN HARRIS: Evidence! Evidence! Evidence! Evidence!
ROBERT WILSON and HOMEOPATHY SUPPORTERS: Oh, ow!
EVAN HARRIS: We shall say 'evidence' again to you if you do not appease us.
ROBERT WILSON: Well, what is it you want?
EVAN HARRIS: We want... unequivocal positive meta-analysis!
[dramatic chord]
ROBERT WILSON: for what?
EVAN HARRIS: Evidence! Evidence!
ROBERT WILSON and HOMEOPATHY SUPPORTERS: Oh, ow!
ROBERT WILSON: Please, please! No more! We have evidence for Arnica.
EVAN HARRIS: You must return here with positive meta-analysis to support that a homeopathic arnica remedy is effective beyond placebo in preventing bruising or we will not approve your homeopathic remedies on the NHS!
ROBERT WILSON: O Parliamentary select committee who say Evidence, you are just and fair, and we will return with evidence for an Arnica remedy.
EVAN HARRIS: One that looks nice.
ROBERT WILSON: Of course.
EVAN HARRIS: And not too expensive.
ROBERT WILSON: Yes.
EVAN HARRIS: Now... go!
Then, when you have found the evidence, you must cut down the mightiest herring in the oceans . . . WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITH . . . WATER!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat?!
Oh go on.
Cut down a herring with water?
Well, that's no sillier than the other stuff you say water can do.
Is there a transcript of this yet? It's not on the Select Committee website.
ReplyDeleteTranscripts and video available from the links listed here http://skepticmedia.wikispaces.com/evcheck+-+House+of+Commons+Science+%26+Technology+Committee+investigates+government%27s+evidence+for+its+policies+on+homeopathy
ReplyDeleteI have built a homeopathic SAN: http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk/blog/2010/09/homeopathic-san/
ReplyDeleteIt feels as if it's really good, and surely what feels good is good.
He he he, My cunning plan to make every woman who takes a bath homeopathicly prenant is underway,Muahahaha!
ReplyDelete