IPSO has not upheld my complaint against Daily Telegraph naturopathy article

The press regulator IPSO has not upheld my complaint against the Daily Telegraph. The ruling suggests that it is acceptable for a newspaper article to repeat misleading claims, with no critical comment, if the claims are made within the context of ‘alternative’ medicine.

In an article headlined Alternative health: what is naturopathy, published on 7th November 2014, practitioner Katrin Hempel promotes live blood analysis, bioresonance and biopunture – all useless, pseudoscientific techniques. At no point is it made clear that her claims are misleading. Notably, Hempel’s company, London Natural Therapies, is listed as non-compliant by the Advertising Standards Authority because of her refusal to remove similarly misleading claims from her advertising.

Live blood quack Errol Denton handed court bill for £19,000

UPDATE 11/10/14

On 10th October 2014, Denton lost his appeal against his conviction. He said he is now bankrupt and has no means of paying the £7,000 in fines and costs.

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Live Blood Analysis quack Errol Denton was handed a £19,000* court bill today.

As reported here:

Ask for Evidence on “miracle” cancer cures

Sense about Science are highlighting miracle cancer cures as part of their Ask for Evidence campaign.

This post aims to highlight the harm done by “miracle” cures and to suggest what evidence hunters can do to tackle this. It also gives examples of when action has had an effect and the ways those selling such treatments can wriggle out of trouble.

Live Blood Analysis: no health claims allowed

Practitioners should not be making health claims for Live Blood Analysis. Not a single one. There is no evidence to support them.

The UK Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) have published guidance on Live Blood Analysis, which advises

CAP is yet to see any evidence for the efficacy of this therapy which, without rigorous evidence to support it, should be advertised on an availability-only platform.

Third time unlucky for Steps to Perfect Health

The Advertising Standards Authority have upheld my third complaint against live blood analyst and general all round quack, David Parker (t/a Steps To Perfect Health). The last two complaints against Parker had been informally resolved but despite assurances, he failed to remove the problematic claims from his website.

These claims related to Dried Layered Blood Analysis by Light Field Microscopy, Live Blood Analysis by Dark Field and Phase Contrast Microscopy, Full Body Scans using the BEST body scanning system, Sensitivity Allergy Testing using the Electro Dermal screening technique, as well as more general claims about David’s abilities to successfully treat a range of named conditions including arthritis, osteoporosis, bacterial and parasitic infections and cardiovascular disorders.