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Comment
. 2016 Mar;13(1):21-5.
doi: 10.1007/s11673-015-9682-0. Epub 2016 Jan 5.

A Not-So-Gentle Refutation of the Defence of Homeopathy

Jakub Zawiła-Niedźwiecki  1 , Jacek Olender  2
Affiliations
Comment

A Not-So-Gentle Refutation of the Defence of Homeopathy

Jakub Zawiła-Niedźwiecki et al. J Bioeth Inq. 2016 Mar.

Abstract

In a recent paper, Levy, Gadd, Kerridge, and Komesaroff attempt to defend the ethicality of homeopathy by attacking the utilitarian ethical framework as a basis for medical ethics and by introducing a distinction between evidence-based medicine and modern science. This paper demonstrates that their argumentation is not only insufficient to achieve that goal but also incorrect. Utilitarianism is not required to show that homeopathic practice is unethical; indeed, any normative basis of medical ethics will make it unethical, as a defence of homeopathic practice requires the rejection of modern natural sciences, which are an integral part of medical ethics systems. This paper also points out that evidence-based medicine lies at the very core of modern science. Particular arguments made by Levy et al. within the principlist medical ethics normative system are also shown to be wrong.

Keywords: Evidence-based medicine (EBM); Homeopathy; Medical ethics.

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Comment on

  • A gentle ethical defence of homeopathy.
    Levy D, Gadd B, Kerridge I, Komesaroff PA. Levy D, et al. J Bioeth Inq. 2015 Jun;12(2):203-9. doi: 10.1007/s11673-014-9563-y. Epub 2014 Jul 19. J Bioeth Inq. 2015. PMID: 25037244

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