Tagged: pseudoscience

anti-vaxxers in a measles epidemic: so many ways to be untruthful - BioBlog

Alison Campbell • Dec 02, 2019 •

“Anti-vaxers are a pro-death movement,” those comments from Dr Helen Petousis-Harris speaking about six more Measles related deaths in Samoa over the past twenty-four hours. “Anti-vaxers are a pro-death movement,” those comments from Dr Helen Petousis-Harris speaking about six more Measles related deaths in Samoa over the past twenty-four hours. The fight to vaccinate continues with the Nation’s health … Read More

Featured image: Measles infection is not a cure for cancer

Measles infection is not a cure for cancer - BioBlog

Alison Campbell • Apr 30, 2019 •

We’re continuing to hear of new measles cases in New Zealand, most recently in this Stuff story about 4 new cases in Auckland (with the possibility that up to 1600 people may have been exposed). One of those ill with the disease is a 10-month-old child, too young to have received her first dose of the MMR vaccine. Completely predictably, … Read More

Featured image: “Raw” water – an update

“Raw” water – an update - BioBlog

Alison Campbell • Apr 26, 2019 •

In January last year, I wrote about the US fad for “raw” water: water supposedly as nature intended it, free of any of the treatments used in municipal water supplies. Those promoting the stuff claim it’s ever so much better for you; given the prices they charge, it’s certainly good for their bank balances I’ve just come across a … Read More

Featured image: Appeal to antiquity? Appeal to nature? Bingo!

Appeal to antiquity? Appeal to nature? Bingo! - BioBlog

Alison Campbell • Jun 13, 2018 •

I was idly skimming the Herald’s website when I came across an article with the headline “Is plant medicine really that effective?” Since the article appears to be in the nature of an advertorial, the answer is, it depends on who you ask. Unlike man-made chemical drugs that have been developed as novel medicines from the 19th century onwards, plant medicines … Read More

Featured image: Is there science in reflexology?

Is there science in reflexology? - BioBlog

Alison Campbell • Jun 06, 2018 •

I subscribe to the Tertiary Insight newsletter (a great way to keep up with news of what’s happening in the tertiary sector). Yesterday’s edition included a statement (& a link) about the NZQA’s decision to cancel the registration of the Aromaflex Academy. It seems that this Private Training Establishment (PTE) was placed under strict conditions in January 2018, & … Read More

Featured image: History & ‘right to try’

History & ‘right to try’ - BioBlog

Alison Campbell • May 30, 2018 •

Over the last few years, OracA has written quite a bit about the so-called ‘right to try’ legislation that has been enacted in many US states – and, as this post of his describes, will now most likely become a thing at the federal level. (I say “most likely”, given President Trump’s history of wanting to significantly reduce … Read More

Featured image: The problem with scepticism

The problem with scepticism - Open Parachute

Ken Perrott • Nov 30, 2017 •

Being a sceptic has its problems. On the one hand, a sceptical approach to information has never been more necessary. On the other hand labelling oneself a Sceptic (or Skeptic) can have negative results – encouraging arrogance and inability to accept criticism. I have been thinking about this a lot lately and have again and again found myself encouraging a … Read More

Featured image: Cancer, oils, and uncritical reporting

Cancer, oils, and uncritical reporting - BioBlog

Alison Campbell • Oct 11, 2017 •

On Sunday, the Stuff website carried a story about a particular brand of essential oils that may as well have been marked ‘advertorial’. This is because most of the article comprises positive commentary from those involved in selling the products – you have to scroll well down the screen to find a photo and brief comment from the Medical … Read More

Featured image: Wellness and ‘access bars’ – I can’t even…

Wellness and ‘access bars’ – I can’t even… - BioBlog

Alison Campbell • Sep 11, 2017 •

There’s a ‘Waikato Wellness Fair” just out of Hamilton next weekend. Along with the usual woo (homeopathy, reiki, & so on) comes something called ‘Access Bars’. However, these are not accessible places to have a drink – oh no! they are something far more mystical than that.  Apparently ‘Access Bars’ consist of 32 Bars of energy that run through … Read More