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Sept. 2009. Why Don't Materialists Like Us? The Political & Philosophical Identity of Homeopathy (Vol. 13, #1), Featured Articles

The Attacks on Homeopathy in the UK: Could it happen here? - Carol Boyce

By Carol Boyce   Thu, Jun 18, 2009

It seems no accident that the present threat to the practice of homeopathy began in the UK and in particular at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital (RLHH). The 150 year- old RLHH provides a touchstone in the world of homeopathy and a reassurance for any potential newcomers to the field, especially in the developing world, that homeopathy is a valid system of medicine.

If a media headline can proclaim that homeopathy is no longer available within the U.K. N.H.S., not because there is insufficient funding but because it has been proven ineffective and officially removed, then the aftershocks will be felt in every corner of the homeopathic world. This latest anti-homeopathy furor should be taken as a wake-up call.  If homeopathy were not perceived as a threat, there would be no need for an opposition, furthermore homeopaths can consider themselves to be in good company; they have been the subject of derision since Hahnemann wrote the Organon!

As surprising as it might be, the presence of homeopathy in the U.K., introduced by Dr Quin in 1828; sanctioned by the government; and an integral part of the U.K. National Health Service (N.H.S.) since its inception in 1948, has been fighting for its life.

It seems no accident that the present threat to the practice of homeopathy began in the UK and in particular at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital (RLHH).  The 150 year- old RLHH provides a touchstone in the world of homeopathy and a reassurance for any potential newcomers to the field, especially in the developing world, that homeopathy is a valid system of medicine.

If a media headline can proclaim that homeopathy is no longer available within the U.K. N.H.S., not because there is insufficient funding but because it has been proven ineffective and officially removed, then the aftershocks will be felt in every corner of the homeopathic world. It would be the coup de grâce that began with the flawed science and vested interests behind that fateful 'anti-homeopathy' edition of The Lancet just three short years ago.

Research has revealed a well-planned and orchestrated campaign involving many players: some well aware of their actions; others duped into following their lead and still others too afraid of ridicule from peers to voice their reservations.

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By Carol Boyce

Carol Boyce

Carol Boyce, BSc, MCH, CCH, RSHom(NA)

Carol Boyce, homeopath, teacher, writer, graduated from the College of Homeopathy, London, in 1985. As a founder and director of the forerunner to Homeopaths Without Borders U.K., she set up homeopathic teaching and clinical projects from Calcutta to Cairo and took homeopathy to Baghdad after the first Gulf war and taught in medical schools in Cuba with HWB U.S.  She teaches in schools across the U.S. and is currently making a series of documentary films about homeopathy.  See Carol's film project, Saving a Lost Generation at: www.savingalostgeneration.com.

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