So, here’s the plan. We should write to every one of those MPs, explaining why homeopathy is (a) wrong (b) a waste of money and (c) harmful. I’m rather hoping that Jack of Kent and MJ Robbins will join in on this one.

As I see it, we need to draft a letter that succinctly expresses why EDM908 is such rot. Ideally, I’d want it to be signed by a whole load of people, sent to a newspaper like the Guardian for publication and copied to the MPs in question. What do people think? Any volunteers… sign up in the comments!

The EDM, started by David Tredinnick, reads

That this House expresses concern at the conclusions of the Science and Technology Committee’s Report, Evidence Check on Homeopathy; notes that the Committee took only oral evidence from a limited number of witnesses, including known critics of homeopathy Tracy Brown, the Managing Director of Sense About Science, and journalist Dr Ben Goldacre, who have no expertise in the subject; believes that evidence should have been heard from primary care trusts that commission homeopathy, doctors who use it in a primary care setting, and other relevant organisations, such as the Society of Homeopaths, to provide balance; observes that the Committee did not consider evidence from abroad from countries such as France and Germany, where provision of homeopathy is far more widespread than in the UK, or from India, where it is part of the health service; regrets that the Committee ignored the 74 randomised controlled trials comparing homeopathy with placebo, of which 63 showed homeopathic treatments were effective, and that the Committee recommends no further research; further notes that 206 hon. Members signed Early Day Motion No. 1240 in support of NHS homeopathic hospitals in Session 2006-07; and calls on the Government to maintain its policy of allowing decision-making on individual clinical interventions, including homeopathy, to remain in the hands of local NHS service providers and practitioners who are best placed to know their community’s needs.

A list of signatories is on the EDM’s webpage.

xD.

xD.