Cheap Theatrics + Ben Goldacre= Null Bad Science Hypothesis= Null Balance, Null Fairness

Ben Goldacre has learned well from his teacher, the great Randini. Goldacre has learned how to debunk with flare and loss of scientific balance and fairness, (mind you Randini, a professional entertainer, magician and the grandfather of debunkers didn’t have any science in the first place). And my, my all the fame Goldacre has gotten which has emboldened those with similar aspirations but with the same level of training as Randini, to become instant experts and scientists.

To be fair and balanced, though, I have to mention the theatrics here on this blog which have certainly garnered a dramatic increase in attention and traffic. It may be that Andy Lewis will have to programme his own name into his censor-meter.

But here is the homeopathy Null Balance, Null Fairness tally:

Goldacre does an opinion piece under the guise of scientific inquiry.

Null Balance, Null Fairness.

Goldacre includes all the studies that come to negative conclusions about homeopathy but FAILS to include THE study, (from Lancet itself!) that comes to a positive conclusion about homeopathy.
Null Balance, Null Fairness.
Goldacre bases the majority of his opinion on one study which has been severely criticized for bias, poor methodology, lack of transparency. Lancet editors responded about Egger, the main author, “He admitted bias therefore there is nothing wrong with the study.”

Null Balance, Null Fairness.

In futher articles, Goldacre fails to mention that much of current medicine is the art of the practice of medicine and not the science. Many techniques used in medicine especially surgery has not gone through the double blind evaluation.
Null Balance, Null Fairness.

In a sidebar to Goldacre, Lancet in an attempt to bolster its “science” that homeopathy is dangerous includes the fact that there is 1(!) malpractice suit against a homeopath in India. It fails to mention that there are 250,000 homeopathic doctors there. Lancet also fails to mention the dramatic and abysmal state of conventional medical malpractice issues and successful wrongful death suits in conventional medicine.
Null Balance, Null Fairness.

Goldacre fails to interview or converse with the thousands of level-headed homeopaths who would not dangerously stop conventional medications or prevent patients from getting conventional medical attention especially for emergency situations.
Null Balance, Null Fairness.

In evaluating and debating homeopathy can we have some balance and fairness?