Archive for August, 2009
In yesterday’s post, I pointed out that the notorious antivaccination group AutismOne is sponsoring a conference this October at the University of Toronto. On the agenda, dubious and implausible treatments like homeopathy and various “biochemical” treatments. What is even more concerning is that the conference is financially supported by the SickKids Foundation, the charitable foundation […]
Filed under: editorials | 12 Comments
Tags: autism homeopathy
In response to an open letter from scientists and researchers, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a unequivocal statement that it does not support the use of homeopathy for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, influenza and infant diarrhea. Today, the Voice of Young Science Network, part of the group Sense About Science, issued an open letter […]
Filed under: commentary | 13 Comments
Tags: homeopathy
This post is now archived. It was updated in July 2010, based on an article for Science-Based Medicine. It’s also updated here, on this blog. “For the first time you can achieve essential protection from dangerous sun exposure in a pill” – LifeExtension advertisement for Fernblock “Heliocare works to turn back the sun” – Advertisement […]
Filed under: articles | 1 Comment
Tags: anapsos, fernblock, heliocare, Polypodium leucotomos, skin cancer, sunblock, sunpill, sunscreen
I will be on the Skeptically Speaking show this Friday August 14 at 6pm Mountain time (8pm Eastern, or midnight GMT). Possibly the world’s only skeptical talk show, Skeptically Speaking encourages you to call in, and question everything. It’s an excellent program, and one of several podcasts I subscribe to through iTunes. We’ll be talking […]
Filed under: announcements | 1 Comment
In the pharmacy, I’m often asked for “non-drug” solutions to various illnesses. In some cases, a desire to avoid medication can push people to make overdue and important diet or lifestyle changes. But in many cases, consumers simply want to avoid prescription drugs, asking if there’s something they can buy, preferably “natural”, that can help […]
Filed under: articles | 6 Comments
Tags: cholesterol, lovastatin, monacolin k, red yeast rice
The University of Toronto Embraces Autism Quackery
Well, it seems that quackademic medicine is being embraced by my alma mater, the University of Toronto. Yesterday someone tipped me off to a program hosted by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and sponsored by the SickKids Foundation of the Hospital for Sick Children. The program is the AutismOne/Autism Canada Conference, “Changing the […]
Filed under: commentary, editorials | 8 Comments
Tags: autism, homeopathy, quackademic medicine, vaccines