Guest guest Posted June 18, 2004 Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 Krystyna I don't know about put up jobs, we need an official response from the Institute. This is surely appropriate action for a professional body? Sally Owen On Friday, June 18, 2004, at 02:56 PM, KrystynaKrzyzak wrote: > > At 13:41 18/06/2004, you wrote: > >did anyone see the article in the Evening Standard yesterday about the > >latest american study that yet again says how useless echinacea is ? > > Not until you alerted me, so here is the relevant url > http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/11398808?version=1 > > > >thats not the most irritating bit - we all know about such studies - > > Actually, even more irritating is the selective reporting. Here is the > url > of a fuller report of the study > http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/06/040615075642.htm > and the original press release > http://www.idsociety.org/ > Template.cfm?Section=News_from_the_Journals & CONTENTID=9112 & TEMPLATE=/ > ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm > > The Standard's headline is misleading. What the study says is that 90% > of > both the placebo and echinacea group ended up being infected with the > virus. What the Standard's ace reporter fails to mention is that only > 58% > of the echinacea group developed cold symptoms against 82% of the > placebo > group. (Or to put it another way, fewer echinacea takers went on to > make > other people's lives a misery after sneezing over them). The study's > author, a Dr Sperber, is reported thus: " While this difference is > suggestive, it can not be counted as statistically significant because > of > the small number of people in the study, Dr. Sperber explained. " > > So, in the author's own words, a statistically invalid study. > > > >it was more the journalist himself .for instance he says " herbal > remedies > >can be sold without prescription despite some having potentially > harmful > >side effects. some, such as arsenic, can prove fatal if taken in large > >quantities " Arsenic ???!!! > > Obviously the reporter is beyond help, from the PR group or anyone > else. I > suggest a short but caustic letter from someone who lives in London (I > don't, so it would look like a put-up job). > > Best regards, > > Krystyna > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2004 Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 One is being done as we speak. Krystyna At 15:48 18/06/2004, you wrote: >Krystyna > >I don't know about put up jobs, we need an official response from the >Institute. This is surely appropriate action for a professional body? > >Sally Owen > > >On Friday, June 18, 2004, at 02:56 PM, KrystynaKrzyzak wrote: > > > > > At 13:41 18/06/2004, you wrote: > > >did anyone see the article in the Evening Standard yesterday about the > > >latest american study that yet again says how useless echinacea is ? > > > > Not until you alerted me, so here is the relevant url > > http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/11398808?version=1 > > > > > > >thats not the most irritating bit - we all know about such studies - > > > > Actually, even more irritating is the selective reporting. Here is the > > url > > of a fuller report of the study > > http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/06/040615075642.htm > > and the original press release > > http://www.idsociety.org/ > > Template.cfm?Section=News_from_the_Journals & CONTENTID=9112 & TEMPLATE=/ > > ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm > > > > The Standard's headline is misleading. What the study says is that 90% > > of > > both the placebo and echinacea group ended up being infected with the > > virus. What the Standard's ace reporter fails to mention is that only > > 58% > > of the echinacea group developed cold symptoms against 82% of the > > placebo > > group. (Or to put it another way, fewer echinacea takers went on to > > make > > other people's lives a misery after sneezing over them). The study's > > author, a Dr Sperber, is reported thus: " While this difference is > > suggestive, it can not be counted as statistically significant because > > of > > the small number of people in the study, Dr. Sperber explained. " > > > > So, in the author's own words, a statistically invalid study. > > > > > > >it was more the journalist himself .for instance he says " herbal > > remedies > > >can be sold without prescription despite some having potentially > > harmful > > >side effects. some, such as arsenic, can prove fatal if taken in large > > >quantities " Arsenic ???!!! > > > > Obviously the reporter is beyond help, from the PR group or anyone > > else. I > > suggest a short but caustic letter from someone who lives in London (I > > don't, so it would look like a put-up job). > > > > Best regards, > > > > Krystyna > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2004 Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 Don't get too worked up. There was a laughable piece about herbal medicine in the rather jokingly entitled " Scientific American " last year, in their 'Skeptic' column, which is supposed to expose quackery in science. The Secretary of NIMH (me actually) wrote a reasoned response, cleared and edited by all sorts of worthies, which wasn't even acknwledged. Different planet ? Or just the bit that matters ? I shouldn't wonder....... Chenery Rutland Biodynamics Ltd www.rutlandbio.com echinacea study > did anyone see the article in the Evening Standard yesterday about the latest american study that yet again says how useless echinacea is ? thats not the most irritating bit - we all know about such studies - it was more the journalist himself .for instance he says " herbal remedies can be sold without prescription despite some having potentially harmful side effects. some, such as arsenic , can prove fatal if taken in large quantities " Arsenic ???!!! oh yes that popular otc herbal remedy !this man is the papers science correspondent for goodness sake. to add insult to injury guess who they choose as their chief defendant of echinacea - a homeopath !!Whose defence was a bit backhanded as he called echinacea " a supplement rather than a homeopathic remedy " > a case for our already overworked PR department to at least contact this man to put him straight on a few things ? > now where did I put that old lace. > Annette Wass > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2004 Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 The same thing happened to me , I spent a day, when I should have been concentrating on writing a report for the job that actually pays me, writing to the Guardian, to no avail. However, don't you think it is important to persist? If we don't keep saying it, who will? Forgive me if this is teaching grannies to suck eggs, but timing is probably extremely important, so too much checking could be counter productive. As long as you don't say anything inaccurate, you can save chapter & verse for later. Many years ago I wrote a letter to the BBC while my blood was up (!) (A pharmacist was saying that herbs should only be available from pharmacists as they were dangerous, and gave as his example the dangers of drinking Ulmus in pregnancy!, pretty easy to counter) and to my surprise they read pretty much all of it out on air. I think we all need to be writing as much fact to the media as we have the time or energy for. It's so much easier now many of us have these nice new toys. If we must clutter our lives up with all this toxic plastic stuff we might as well do something useful with it. Oops sorry, soap box crept up on me again! Sally > Don't get too worked up. There was a laughable piece about herbal > medicine > in the rather jokingly entitled " Scientific American " last year, in > their > 'Skeptic' column, which is supposed to expose quackery in science. The > Secretary of NIMH (me actually) wrote a reasoned response, cleared and > edited by all sorts of worthies, which wasn't even acknwledged. > Different > planet ? Or just the bit that matters ? I shouldn't wonder....... > Chenery > Rutland Biodynamics Ltd > www.rutlandbio.com > > > echinacea study > > > > did anyone see the article in the Evening Standard yesterday about > the > latest american study that yet again says how useless echinacea is ? > thats > not the most irritating bit - we all know about such studies - it was > more > the journalist himself .for instance he says " herbal remedies can be > sold > without prescription despite some having potentially harmful side > effects. > some, such as arsenic , can prove fatal if taken in large quantities " > Arsenic ???!!! oh yes that popular otc herbal remedy !this man is the > papers > science correspondent for goodness sake. to add insult to injury guess > who > they choose as their chief defendant of echinacea - a homeopath !!Whose > defence was a bit backhanded as he called echinacea " a supplement > rather > than a homeopathic remedy " > > a case for our already overworked PR department to at least contact > this > man to put him straight on a few things ? > > now where did I put that old lace. > > Annette Wass > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2004 Report Share Posted June 19, 2004 Yes, I agree Sally, that we should keep battering on. What I meant is that it is essential - although difficult - not to let it get you down. It seems that characteristically the way industrial hedgemony has been maintained has been by controlling reward and punishment from the pyschoneuroendocrine system outwards, if you get my drift. Chenery Rutland Biodynamics Ltd www.rutlandbio.com echinacea study > > > > did anyone see the article in the Evening Standard yesterday about > the > latest american study that yet again says how useless echinacea is ? > thats > not the most irritating bit - we all know about such studies - it was > more > the journalist himself .for instance he says " herbal remedies can be > sold > without prescription despite some having potentially harmful side > effects. > some, such as arsenic , can prove fatal if taken in large quantities " > Arsenic ???!!! oh yes that popular otc herbal remedy !this man is the > papers > science correspondent for goodness sake. to add insult to injury guess > who > they choose as their chief defendant of echinacea - a homeopath !!Whose > defence was a bit backhanded as he called echinacea " a supplement > rather > than a homeopathic remedy " > > a case for our already overworked PR department to at least contact > this > man to put him straight on a few things ? > > now where did I put that old lace. > > Annette Wass > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2004 Report Share Posted June 19, 2004 Oh aye, not to mention that trickey old relationship between time, money, energy and influence Sally > Yes, I agree Sally, that we should keep battering on. > What I meant is that it is essential - although difficult - not to let > it > get you down. > It seems that characteristically the way industrial hedgemony has been > maintained has been by controlling reward and punishment from the > pyschoneuroendocrine system outwards, if you get my drift. > > Chenery > Rutland Biodynamics Ltd > www.rutlandbio.com > > > echinacea study > > > > > > > did anyone see the article in the Evening Standard yesterday about > > the > > latest american study that yet again says how useless echinacea is ? > > thats > > not the most irritating bit - we all know about such studies - it was > > more > > the journalist himself .for instance he says " herbal remedies can be > > sold > > without prescription despite some having potentially harmful side > > effects. > > some, such as arsenic , can prove fatal if taken in large quantities > " > > Arsenic ???!!! oh yes that popular otc herbal remedy !this man is the > > papers > > science correspondent for goodness sake. to add insult to injury > guess > > who > > they choose as their chief defendant of echinacea - a homeopath > !!Whose > > defence was a bit backhanded as he called echinacea " a supplement > > rather > > than a homeopathic remedy " > > > a case for our already overworked PR department to at least contact > > this > > man to put him straight on a few things ? > > > now where did I put that old lace. > > > Annette Wass > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2004 Report Share Posted June 19, 2004 On reflection, I think I'm trying to say, if we practise responding, we may get to enjoy it a bit, cut & thrust of debate you know, which should sort out the old psychoneuroendocrine barriers. ( & give us spelling practice and stop the mental cog wheels rusting up or setting into negative patterns) Now if I could just find a bit more time or some more technological enhancement...... Anybody got a spare bluetooth headset floating around?!? best summer wishes to all Sally > Oh aye, not to mention that trickey old relationship between time, > money, energy and influence > > Sally > > > > >> Yes, I agree Sally, that we should keep battering on. >> What I meant is that it is essential - although difficult - not to let >> it >> get you down. >> It seems that characteristically the way industrial hedgemony has been >> maintained has been by controlling reward and punishment from the >> pyschoneuroendocrine system outwards, if you get my drift. >> >> Chenery >> Rutland Biodynamics Ltd >> www.rutlandbio.com >> >> >> echinacea study >>> >>> >>>> did anyone see the article in the Evening Standard yesterday about >>> the >>> latest american study that yet again says how useless echinacea is ? >>> thats >>> not the most irritating bit - we all know about such studies - it was >>> more >>> the journalist himself .for instance he says " herbal remedies can be >>> sold >>> without prescription despite some having potentially harmful side >>> effects. >>> some, such as arsenic , can prove fatal if taken in large quantities >> " >>> Arsenic ???!!! oh yes that popular otc herbal remedy !this man is the >>> papers >>> science correspondent for goodness sake. to add insult to injury >> guess >>> who >>> they choose as their chief defendant of echinacea - a homeopath >> !!Whose >>> defence was a bit backhanded as he called echinacea " a supplement >>> rather >>> than a homeopathic remedy " >>>> a case for our already overworked PR department to at least contact >>> this >>> man to put him straight on a few things ? >>>> now where did I put that old lace. >>>> Annette Wass >>>> >>>> >>>> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2004 Report Share Posted June 19, 2004 I think I might have replied to the same 'Scientific American' article, with no feedback! But I'm quite used to it now as I write to anyone who says anything slightly scathing about herbal medicine, and haven't had a response yet! I still won't give up though! hayley jones xx Chenery wrote: Don't get too worked up. There was a laughable piece about herbal medicine in the rather jokingly entitled " Scientific American " last year, in their 'Skeptic' column, which is supposed to expose quackery in science. The Secretary of NIMH (me actually) wrote a reasoned response, cleared and edited by all sorts of worthies, which wasn't even acknwledged. Different planet ? Or just the bit that matters ? I shouldn't wonder....... Chenery Rutland Biodynamics Ltd www.rutlandbio.com echinacea study > did anyone see the article in the Evening Standard yesterday about the latest american study that yet again says how useless echinacea is ? thats not the most irritating bit - we all know about such studies - it was more the journalist himself .for instance he says " herbal remedies can be sold without prescription despite some having potentially harmful side effects. some, such as arsenic , can prove fatal if taken in large quantities " Arsenic ???!!! oh yes that popular otc herbal remedy !this man is the papers science correspondent for goodness sake. to add insult to injury guess who they choose as their chief defendant of echinacea - a homeopath !!Whose defence was a bit backhanded as he called echinacea " a supplement rather than a homeopathic remedy " > a case for our already overworked PR department to at least contact this man to put him straight on a few things ? > now where did I put that old lace. > Annette Wass > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2004 Report Share Posted June 19, 2004 I think I might have replied to the same 'Scientific American' article, with no feedback! But I'm quite used to it now as I write to anyone who says anything slightly scathing about herbal medicine, and haven't had a response yet! I still won't give up though! hayley jones xx Chenery wrote: Don't get too worked up. There was a laughable piece about herbal medicine in the rather jokingly entitled " Scientific American " last year, in their 'Skeptic' column, which is supposed to expose quackery in science. The Secretary of NIMH (me actually) wrote a reasoned response, cleared and edited by all sorts of worthies, which wasn't even acknwledged. Different planet ? Or just the bit that matters ? I shouldn't wonder....... Chenery Rutland Biodynamics Ltd www.rutlandbio.com echinacea study > did anyone see the article in the Evening Standard yesterday about the latest american study that yet again says how useless echinacea is ? thats not the most irritating bit - we all know about such studies - it was more the journalist himself .for instance he says " herbal remedies can be sold without prescription despite some having potentially harmful side effects. some, such as arsenic , can prove fatal if taken in large quantities " Arsenic ???!!! oh yes that popular otc herbal remedy !this man is the papers science correspondent for goodness sake. to add insult to injury guess who they choose as their chief defendant of echinacea - a homeopath !!Whose defence was a bit backhanded as he called echinacea " a supplement rather than a homeopathic remedy " > a case for our already overworked PR department to at least contact this man to put him straight on a few things ? > now where did I put that old lace. > Annette Wass > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.