It's a Witch Hunt!
Posted: 03 Aug 2009, 13:43
http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2009/06 ... their.html
OMG! THEY'RE HUNTING US DOWN SIMPLY BECAUSE WE MAKE CLAIMS THAT CAN'T BE PROVED OR HAVE BEEN PROVEN FALSE!
For those unaware of the furore surrounding UK Chiropracty - there is a "governing body" for chiros in the UK, this governing body was criticised by one Simon Singh, who (rightly) pointed out that their claims for treating ear infections and the like through spinal manipulation had no evidence supporting them. The chiros then proceeded to sue Singh, presumably because he hurt their feelings.
Note that in the grown-up medical world, saying someone doesn't have evidence, strong evidence or ethical grounds to make any given claim has a stock standard response: either you show that you have evidence, or your evidence is valid, or you shut up and take it on the chin. Suing doesn't really enter into it.
So a kind of Streisand effect has come into play here - a bunch of bloggers are hammering the chiros hard, and they're finding it difficult to fight back, because they haven't a scientific leg to stand on - that is, despite suing Singh, they're having to take it on the chin anyway.
Joy.
Edit:
Of particular concern:
OMG! THEY'RE HUNTING US DOWN SIMPLY BECAUSE WE MAKE CLAIMS THAT CAN'T BE PROVED OR HAVE BEEN PROVEN FALSE!
For those unaware of the furore surrounding UK Chiropracty - there is a "governing body" for chiros in the UK, this governing body was criticised by one Simon Singh, who (rightly) pointed out that their claims for treating ear infections and the like through spinal manipulation had no evidence supporting them. The chiros then proceeded to sue Singh, presumably because he hurt their feelings.
Note that in the grown-up medical world, saying someone doesn't have evidence, strong evidence or ethical grounds to make any given claim has a stock standard response: either you show that you have evidence, or your evidence is valid, or you shut up and take it on the chin. Suing doesn't really enter into it.
So a kind of Streisand effect has come into play here - a bunch of bloggers are hammering the chiros hard, and they're finding it difficult to fight back, because they haven't a scientific leg to stand on - that is, despite suing Singh, they're having to take it on the chin anyway.
Joy.
Edit:
Of particular concern:
God forbid they should be forced to think.Chiros wrote: Finally, we strongly suggest you do NOT discuss this with others, especially patients, Firstly it would not be ethical to burden patients with this, though if they ask we hope you now have information with which you can respond.