The authors of 'Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy: part 1 and 2, respond

We welcome the opportunity to emphasise our concerns regarding what we view as an unethical practice by responding to the points raised in the above letter. As explained in our review, we believe that homeopathy requires the existence of a ‘healing power’ with multiple supernatural properties. According to scientific understanding, such a thing is extremely implausible, as homeopaths – including De Beukelaer and others – acknowledge. To counter this problem, the term ‘plausibility bias’ has been used in an attempt to make credulity appear a positive thing.1 We argue that plausibility bias applies in the case of all similar claims including ghosts, clairvoyance, telekinesis, miracles and yetis. Given the consensus that homeopathy is implausible, we believe it imperative that this is explained to clients before treatment so that proper informed consent can be provided. De Beukelaer and others’ main criticism of our review is that plausibility bias...
Source: Veterinary Record - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tags: Letters and notices Source Type: research