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Roy Moynihan is a journalist. I suppose one can't blame him for cashing in on this pseudo-row in order to earn an honest crust.
On the other hand, Peter Lee, vice-chancellor of Southern Cross University, has no such excuse. Has he bothered, one wonders, to find out anything about the naturopathy course run at Southern Cross, which he defends?
"Naturopathy . . . is a form of alternative medicine based on a belief in vitalism, which posits that a special energy called vital energy or vital force. . ."
"Naturopathic medicine is defined by principles rather than by methods or modalities. Above all, it honors the body’s innate wisdom to heal."
Peter Lee is an engineer by training. Does he support equally the discipline of alternative engineering? Perhaps he is an enthusiast for Alternative Aviation, as described by Mark Crislip?
"In the one size fits all design of allopathic airlines, alternative designs are ignored and airplane design utilizing the ideas and esthetics of indigenous peoples and ancient flying traditions are derided as primitive and unscientific, despite centuries of successful use."
"Western flight has been based on the outmoded concepts of gravity as defined by the late European male Albert Einstein, as well as the reductionist, mechanical concepts of Newtonian physics. Burning fossil fuels to provide ‘‘thrust” (more male centered oppression) has lead to an environmental catastrophe. Alternative aviation is about choice in airplane design as well as in methods used to power a plane; emphasizing a passenger centric, organic, harmonious, earth friendly flight."
"These methodologies are not necessarily a replacement for allopathic flight but rather can complement standard aviation methods.
For example, while traveling cross country in a 767 you can focus your Qi dong to harmonize with the airplane to decrease the mass of the airplane and provide a more efficient forward motion. Or collapse your personal wave function to arrive at your destination early."
Alec's latest project is a design for a 1200-foot non-suspension bridge. He claims the bridge will be able to span this distance without pylons or overhead suspension, and will be supported only by the ancient art of Feng Shui. "This wisdom, which is thousands of years old, is the art of channeling energy through design and form.
"Alec is also quick to point out that ancient Chinese documents reveal absolutely no accounts of collapsing suspension bridges. His technique's safety record is, he argues, unparalleled. "How else would it have survived all these years if it didn't work?!
""I am advocating a mixture of the best of modern scientific engineering with the antiscientific and superstitious ideas of earlier times," explains Wily. "I call this approach Integrative Engineering."
What has this new approach created? Natural Design's newest model sedan, the Millennium 2000, does not use air bags, or even seatbelts. "Seat belts are dangerous, and air bags are kid-killers," complains Wily. So he has come up with something better. The interior of the Millennium 2000 is coated with a patented psychoactive material, called Natural Safe. "All a driver or passenger has to do is think safe thoughts, and this miraculous material will do the rest. In a crash, the material will gently repel any safe thinking person in the vehicle, leaving them free from injury," Wily asserts."
Vice-chancellor Lee has made Southern Cross University into something of a laughing stock in the real worlds of science and medicine. If he cares to send to me the entire course contents of his courses in naturopathy, I shall be happy to do his job for him by assessing the extent to which they teach nonsense and endanger patients. I won't even expect to be paid for it.
Is one of the problems the catch all description "alternative medicine"? Herbal medicine, for example, certainly can work. For evidence of this we need only look at the law: some herbs are so effective that it is illegal to possess them. Marijuana will make you euphoric (and hungry), opium will dull the pain, deadly nightshade could kill you. With other practices categoryised as "alternative medicine", it is less obvious. I have analysed several acupuncture trials, both against usual care and against sham acupuncture, and usually found evidence for effects. My few studies of homeopathic preparations have been totally negative, as I expected. So could we treat each of these approaches on its own merits?
Re: Assaulting alternative medicine: worthwhile or witch hunt?
Roy Moynihan is a journalist. I suppose one can't blame him for cashing in on this pseudo-row in order to earn an honest crust.
On the other hand, Peter Lee, vice-chancellor of Southern Cross University, has no such excuse. Has he bothered, one wonders, to find out anything about the naturopathy course run at Southern Cross, which he defends?
According to the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges,
Peter Lee is an engineer by training. Does he support equally the discipline of alternative engineering? Perhaps he is an enthusiast for Alternative Aviation, as described by Mark Crislip?
Or perhaps Peter Lee's opinions have been formed by Steven Novella's article, "Alternative Engineering": A Postmodern Parable.
Vice-chancellor Lee has made Southern Cross University into something of a laughing stock in the real worlds of science and medicine. If he cares to send to me the entire course contents of his courses in naturopathy, I shall be happy to do his job for him by assessing the extent to which they teach nonsense and endanger patients. I won't even expect to be paid for it.
When may I expect the parcel?
Competing interests: No competing interests