Everyday Homeopathy Lectures - Dr. Peter Fisher

Comment

Comment by Regina Rianelli on November 29, 2009 at 12:04am

I couldn´t agree more... plus Dr.Peter Fisher carries a great Love towards Homeopathy and has a superb work that includes Scientific Research with Living Nosodes along with Dr.Carlos Lyrio http://www.homeopathyworldcommunity.com/profile/Lyrio in Instituto Roberto Costa in Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - South America: CHEERS!

Comment by Debby Bruck on November 28, 2009 at 3:33am

Memorandum submitted by Dr Peter Fisher HO 21
Parliament U.K. LINK
Homeopathy: the Evidence from Basic Research
Background

1. Its 'implausibility' from a scientific standpoint is often cited as a reason for scepticism about homeopathy, even in the face of positive clinical evidence. For instance a systematic review of clinical trials, published in the BMJ stated 'we would accept that homoeopathy can be efficacious, if its mechanism of action were more plausible' [1]. Contrary views have also been expressed: 'Indeed it is often stated...that the burden of proof it requires should be much greater than for other scientific hypotheses. Such an attitude may itself be considered unscientific: the same level of supporting evidence should be accepted for all scientific developments. If a lower level of proof is set for hypotheses that fit prior beliefs then we bias our view of science in favour of such beliefs and may be easily misled'.[2]



2. This submission examines the basic science evidence concerning homeopathy and related areas of science to cast light on the alleged implausibility of homeopathy.

3. Homeopathy is based on the idea of 'like cures like', also known as the similarity principle. Medicines are selected on the basis that they may, in healthy people, provoke syndromes similar to those from which the patient is suffering. Homeopathy emphasises the 'secondary' effects of medicines, these are the reactions of living systems to drugs, as opposed to the primary actions of drugs per se.

4. The most controversial aspect of homeopathy is its use of very high dilution. These are prepared by a process of sequential dilution with vigorous shaking at each stage of dilution, known as succussion. Dilution is usually in steps of 1:10 or 1:100, referred to as x or d (decimal) or c (centesimal) respectively.

5. Avogadro's Constant (also known as Loschmidt's Constant) is the number of particles (atoms or molecules) in a gram mole of a pure substance. Its value is 6.02 x 1023 mol-1. The implication is that material quantities of the original substance are extremely unlikely to remain in homeopathic medicines diluted to concentrations greater 12c or 24x (10-24 M). Such dilutions are referred to as are referred to as 'ultramolecular' or BRAN (Beyond the Reciprocal of Avogadro's Number).

6. It is important to note that the use of ultramolecular dilutions is not a defining characteristic of homeopathy. Many homeopathic medicines are not in ultramolecular dilutions.

7. It is sometimes claimed that it is impossible for such highly diluted substances to have 'real' physiological effects. Randomised placebo-controlled trials are, in principle, capable of demonstrating such effects for homeopathic medicines. But they are expensive, cumbersome and difficult to repeat. The question of whether extreme dilutions are capable of exerting 'real' (as opposed to psychologically mediated) effects, and if so, how such effects might be mediated is best answered by laboratory experiments.

8. This submission focuses on:

· Scientific research on 'like cures like'.

· Evidence from biological experiments that very high dilutions can have effects. This includes work based on intact animals, plants and isolated cells and cell cultures.

· Research concerning possible ways in which such effects might be mediated, this is mostly in the form of physical and physical chemistry research.



Similarity

9. The primary principle of homeopathy is that of similarity. In this area there is substantial overlap with other areas of science including toxicology and pharmacology.

10. In Toxicology hormesis, the stimulatory or beneficial effects of small doses of toxins[3],[4],[5],[6] has been extensively studied. The recent concept of 'postconditioning hormesis' refers to a small stimulus exerting a beneficial effect after a bio

Comment by Dr Shashi Mohan Sharma on November 28, 2009 at 3:19am

No doubt, that Dr Fisher is very learned and firm supporter of Homeopathy. I request all friends to support him as Dr Fisher is trying hard and honestly to save Homeopathy in the UK. A few weeks back, I met him and saw him favouring Homeopathy with with full confidence in the research meeting.
With best regards