Book Review: Trick or Treatment - New Possibilities are on the Horizon!

In reading Trick or Treatment, I wondered if the authors had any personal experience with the alternative healing methods they call “implausible” in their book.  I mean, they never really explain why people using these methods often experience improved health.  

Thinking they might be interested in further exploration, on March 30, 2011, I sent an offer of 12 free healing sessions to the authors.  Reprinted below is the offer and our correspondence to date.  (Note, Dr. Ernst replied while I have not yet heard from Simon Singh!).


Dear Mr. Ernst and Mr. Singh,

I am writing to refer you to a review of your book, Trick or Treatment:
The Undeniable Facts About Alternative Medicine, published in 2008.  I am
also writing to make you two an offer – one which I believe will undermine
your conclusions about alternative medicine, if you are willing to
undertake this challenge in good faith.  This offer is detailed at the
bottom of this email.

I am former attorney and student of the scientific method.  I graduated
from Reed College in Portland, OR in 1991 with a degree in Biology.  As
you may be aware, Reed has a reputation for excellence; its science
curriculum gives students solid grounding in the scientific method.  As a
result, many Reed graduates go on to successful careers in science and
medicine.  I graduated from Hastings College of the Law in the late 1990’s
and practiced law for 9 years before becoming an alternative medicine
practitioner.  I believe very strong in the potential of both conventional
and alternative medicine.  Likewise, it is through a cooperative
partnership between alternative and conventional methods that the best
care can be made available.

As a current user and practitioner of alternative medicine, I doubted your
conclusions.  Please forgive me for saying that while your credentials are
impressive, your analysis lacks objectivity and thoroughness.  Your
reasoning is based on weak assumptions.  This prevents you from accessing
a deeper truth.  At any rate, I set some of these thoughts forth in a book
review, divided into several blog posts, with the first being located at
the http://spontaneousmystic.blogspot.com. I will say that this review has
been of interest to readers.

My offer is this: I offer each of you 12 free healing sessions to be used
within one year.  Honestly, as I read your book, I wondered if had
in-depth personal experience with the modalities on which you offer so
many expert opinions.  I wondered if you would have the pluck to commit in
good faith to a personal journey of discovery through alternative healing,
even if it undermined your assumptions.  I make this offer in the spirit
of developing a rigorous dialogue about health care alternatives as well
as a positive partnership between conventional and alternative medicine.

I, and my readers, look forward to hearing back from you on this offer,
and to discussing what is involved.  Information about me is contained on
the blog as is contact information.

Sincerely,
Ahnday Meweh

From my time at Reed College I remember how spiritual topics can send some scientists into orbit – and not in a good way - so I never really expected to hear back from these two.  However, on March 29, at nearly midnight (European time), Dr. Ernst replied by email. He said,

thanks for the offer;how would this work in practice?are you suggesting to do distant healing on us?if,so i might be interested to participate provided we monitoe the results objectively.
regards

Prof. Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, FMed Sci, FSB, FRCP, FRCP (Edin.)

Not only was I surprised to get the email, at first I was intimidated.  My thoughts went like this, "Not only is the doctor famous, if he accepts my offer, I will have to do my best healing in order to prove the case for alternative medicine!  Still, I think I can do it!"

And after the intimidation passed, I began to get excited.  Fantasies of a meaningful partnership between alternative and conventional medicine danced in my head, along with visions of rigorous dialogue and deep exploration leading to new discoveries!  "I bet the scientist who finally proves the existence of chi will win a Nobel prize!" I told myself, “Why not Mr. Ernst?”

So, on April 1, I replied .....

(for more, see next post!)