I’m not sure how I missed this, but apparently Ontario is about to legitimize homeopathy despite the fact that there is precisely zero evidence that it is anything other than a vestige of pre-scientific superstition.
Globe and Mail: We’re aiding and abetting homeopathic quackery
I don’t do this often, but I’m going to be writing my MPP about this.
Dear Mr. Murray,
I am a constituent of yours and voter who is very concerned about the fact that the Homeopathy Act, 2007 is about to take effect on April 1. As you are no doubt aware, there is no scientific evidence that homeopathy has any medical effect other than as a placebo. This pseudoscience has no place being legitimized in a modern progressive society such as Ontario. I’m hoping that in light of the considerable research that has entered the public domain since the original passage of this law that you and your government will take a leadership position on this issue and take concrete measures to correct this mistake.
If you are interested in further information on the topic I strongly recommend a review of the Australian government’s recent Homeopathy Review.
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-topics/complementary-medicines/homeopathy-review
Their conclusions are unequivocal. From the summary statement:
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/cam02_nhmrc_statement_homeopathy.pdf
“Based on the assessment of the evidence of effectiveness of homeopathy, NHMRC concludes that there are no health conditions for which there is reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective. Homeopathy should not be used to treat health conditions that are chronic, serious, or could become serious. People who choose homeopathy may put their health at risk if they reject or delay treatments for which there is good evidence for safety and effectiveness.”
Emphasis mine.
I am interested in hearing how you and the government plan to address this unintentional government sanction of quack medicine. Ontario is a world leader in health care and medical research and I would hate to see our international reputation brought into question at the very time as other jurisdictions are attempting to relegate homeopathy to the pre-scientific past where it belongs.
Homeopathy Act, 2007: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_07h10_e.htm
Sincerely,
Gabriel M. O’Brien