February 2006 | Letters to the Editor
The New CG
When I first noticed Common Ground in the Free-For-All area of the library where I had started working, I looked through a copy and decided that the articles were just glorified ad copy for some of the many alternative practitioners and others who advertised in your publication. From time to time, I would pick up an issue and flip through it, to see if there were anything of real interest inside, and not find anything of substance. Then about two years ago, I picked up a copy and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. In fact, I was so impressed that I took that copy home to show my husband. The articles were interesting with enough depth to be worth reading, and some of the regular features, such as Living Green/Coop America and Dock of the Bay were also very useful. Heck, you even have a monthly strip by Larry Gonick, one of my favorite cartoonists.
After that, I started picking up a copy every month — until I changed libraries — and found myself at a small branch that doesn’t get delivery. For a few months, I tried getting a coworker from the old branch to forward a copy to me each month, but she only did it when I reminded her. Then I discovered that the library in my town, which I seldom visit (I figure eight hours a day spent at a library is enough), carries your publication. I’m not sure I realized how much I was missing your publication until I found a new source..
I don’t know whether the change in name of your publisher means the publisher changed their name, or you changed publishers, but I hope that you continue to produce the quality publication that I have come to enjoy so much.
— Virginia Leslie, Milpitas
Homeopathy and Flu
In your January issue, Dana Ullman makes reference to “...three double-blind, placebo controlled trials...” without giving any references. A major breach. Being familiar with the field of homeopathy as well as the writings of Dana Ullman, I challenge the author, as well as your publication, to name any three studies that have been replicated (the real issue) and the replications published in a refereed journal. A difficult task as they do not exist. If they did, the entire scientific world would certainly know about them. Front-page news. Further, every homeopathic practitioner would be shouting from his/her rooftop. Are they?
The main problem is simply that there is not one study ever done, and replicated, that demonstrates homeopathic efficacy. Remember, anyone can report any results they wish. It’s replicating the results that makes something real. Simply making claims does not make them true.
—LRW, San Rafael
Dana Ullman responds:
The editor and I didn’t include the specific references to studies because CG is not an academic journal, and we assumed that anyone seriously interested in this subject would go to my website (www.homeopathic.com). Over 100 free articles are posted, many of them on homeopathic research (see my online article: “Homeopathy and Influenza: Real Research, Real Results” for these references.)
As for other homeopathic research that has been replicated, researchers at the University of Glasgow conducted four studies (two published in the Lancet and one published in the British Medical Journal ) on various allergies disorders using homeopathic doses of substances to which people were allergic — all with highly significant results.
Researchers at four universities conducted a laboratory study with homeopathic doses of histamine and found dramatic results in test tubes (which are not “prone” to the placebo effect!).
To learn about these studies and many others, consider coming to a major national homeopathic conference that I’ve organized for the National Center for Homeopathy which will be held at the San Jose Marriott on April 7-9th. Dr. Peter Fisher (the Physician to the Queen of England and a rheumatologist), Iris Bell, MD, PhD (head of research for Dr. Andrew Weil’s program at the University of Arizona), and I will be conducting a special daylong workshop on April 7th on homeopathic research (for details, go to: www.homeopathic.org). Dr. Fisher will also give a free lecture on Friday night.
—Dana Ullman, MPH, Homeopathic Educational Services [click to e-mail]
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