4 ms·

>doctrine of like cures like, a claim that a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy people would cure similar symptoms in sick people. Homeo

>doctrine of like cures like, a claim that a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy people would cure similar symptoms in sick people. Homeopathy is a pseudoscience – a belief that is incorrectly presented as scientific. Homeopathic preparations are not effective for treating any condition... Isn't like cures like the principle behind many modern medical therapies, such as: flu vaccination; anti-venom; and immunotherapy for allergies. Not saying this is wrong decision, but its always interesting to watch the Government pick winners and losers. In this case their justification includes "many are diluted to the extent..." and "in general claims not based on science". So is that an acknowledgment products are based on science and not diluted to the extent rendering them useless? On the other hand its great watching members of congress explain why they refuse to pass laws require labeling of food containing GMO, because they generally acknowledge GMO could be harmful to consumers but the science is still out and so until then consumers shouldn't be making their purchasing decisions based on GMO labels.

arrosenberg 10y ago
The examples you gave aren't 'Like Cures Like' in the way homeopathy works. The things you described work by triggering your immune system to create T-cells with a memory of the disease. Homeopathy works by taking a chemical and diluting it, generally to the point where it practically doesn't exist. Best case scenario, it's a sugar pill, worst case, they don't dilute enough with something dangerous and you are taking poison. This isn't picking winners and losers, it's consumer protection that's required for a free market to be fair to consumers. If homeopathic producers follow clinical standards and proven that their products produce statistically better outcomes, then they can call it medicine and sell it on the market.
- will_brown 10y ago
  >Homeopathy works by taking a chemical and diluting it, generally to the point where it practically doesn't exist. Certainly I could be wrong it's just that "process" sounds a lot like immunotherapy for allergies. I am not trying to lump homeopathy and immunotherapy in the same boat by any means, but looking beyond the differences in the two I think it is possible to be more open minded than labeling the like cures like doctrine pseudo science. >This isn't picking winners and losers, it's consumer protection that's required for a free market to be fair to consumers. Like I said I don't disagree with the labeling, but that doesn't mean there aren't winners and losers being picked. Sure its fair for consumers to know homeopathy treatments haven't been tested (not unlike supplements require FDA warnings), but they are still losers while others are winners and escape fair disclosures to consumers (e.g. my example of no GMO labeling).
  - Kalium 10y ago
    > Certainly I could be wrong it's just that "process" sounds a lot like immunotherapy for allergies. I am not trying to lump homeopathy and immunotherapy in the same boat by any means, but looking beyond the differences in the two I think it is possible to be more open minded than labeling the like cures like doctrine pseudo science. They do sound similar! The items you cite work on the principle of training the immune system to react to known pathogens in ways that allow an effective immunoresponse later. Homeopathy works by diluting some compound to the point where you might have one molecule of it in a homeopathic dose and positing that this is a cure. The former isn't "like cures like". It's more like an educational process, based on an understanding of how immune systems work. The latter isn't really "like cures like" either, because one molecule of anything in a teaspoon of water isn't enough to matter to anything or anyone. You're absolutely right. The processes do sound similar! They're just very different in very important ways well past how similar they may superficially sound.

arrosenberg 10y ago

The examples you gave aren't 'Like Cures Like' in the way homeopathy works. The things you described work by triggering your immune system to create T-cells with a memory of the disease. Homeopathy works by taking a chemical and diluting it, generally to the point where it practically doesn't exist. Best case scenario, it's a sugar pill, worst case, they don't dilute enough with something dangerous and you are taking poison. This isn't picking winners and losers, it's consumer protection that's required for a free market to be fair to consumers. If homeopathic producers follow clinical standards and proven that their products produce statistically better outcomes, then they can call it medicine and sell it on the market.

will_brown 10y ago
>Homeopathy works by taking a chemical and diluting it, generally to the point where it practically doesn't exist. Certainly I could be wrong it's just that "process" sounds a lot like immunotherapy for allergies. I am not trying to lump homeopathy and immunotherapy in the same boat by any means, but looking beyond the differences in the two I think it is possible to be more open minded than labeling the like cures like doctrine pseudo science. >This isn't picking winners and losers, it's consumer protection that's required for a free market to be fair to consumers. Like I said I don't disagree with the labeling, but that doesn't mean there aren't winners and losers being picked. Sure its fair for consumers to know homeopathy treatments haven't been tested (not unlike supplements require FDA warnings), but they are still losers while others are winners and escape fair disclosures to consumers (e.g. my example of no GMO labeling).
- Kalium 10y ago
  > Certainly I could be wrong it's just that "process" sounds a lot like immunotherapy for allergies. I am not trying to lump homeopathy and immunotherapy in the same boat by any means, but looking beyond the differences in the two I think it is possible to be more open minded than labeling the like cures like doctrine pseudo science. They do sound similar! The items you cite work on the principle of training the immune system to react to known pathogens in ways that allow an effective immunoresponse later. Homeopathy works by diluting some compound to the point where you might have one molecule of it in a homeopathic dose and positing that this is a cure. The former isn't "like cures like". It's more like an educational process, based on an understanding of how immune systems work. The latter isn't really "like cures like" either, because one molecule of anything in a teaspoon of water isn't enough to matter to anything or anyone. You're absolutely right. The processes do sound similar! They're just very different in very important ways well past how similar they may superficially sound.