1.1.3 Weak Points and Counterarguments
Argument: Patients can practice autonomy within homeopathy
Rebuttal: Professional medical advice is valuable; it’s important to make the most informed and scientifically validated decisions when it comes to your health.
Argument: Even in mainstream medicine, treatments are given to patients that doctors know are ineffective, such as “antibiotics for viral infections, B vitamins for multiple sclerosis, and saline injections for various complaints” (Smith, 2012)
Rebuttal: When professionals prescribe a medicine or treatment with an undocumented medical effect, they are doing so for the benefit of the patient (i.e. improving the psychological state, or with the understanding that the treatment may offer limited relief for some patients). If a patient is purchasing medicines they believe to be effective because a homeopathic doctor prescribed it to them, knowing that the effects are null, then the prescription has dubious ethical standing.
Argument: Homeopathy is widely popular (even among some medical professionals) and has been around since the early 19th century.
Rebuttal: While ideas can have a snowball effect and grow as they ‘catch on,’ that does not necessarily indicate their accuracy (see genetic fallacy and bandwagon appeal above).
Argument: Homeopathy claims similarity to vaccines, as they use whatever ailment is being treated as a part of the solution.
Rebuttal: “…vaccines contain much larger quantities of active substance than do homeopathic preparations. Moreover, the active substances in vaccines are directly quantifiable and elicit a measurable response (production of antibodies), features that do not apply to homeopathic preparations. Finally, the analogy fails in respect of the altogether disparate usages of vaccines and homeopathic medicines. Immunization is preventive, unlike homeopathy which is used to treat existing ailments” (Smith, 2012).
Argument: Homeopathic treatments are more environmentally friendly as well as more cost-effective
Rebuttal: “…low cost is nullified by ineffectiveness since ineffective medical treatment is of zero value. Moreover, because homeopathic practice entails a financial cost (in terms of premises, facilities, and remuneration), this becomes a disutility” (Smith, 2012).
Homeopathic Argument: Homeopathic medicines are sold in mass quantities in pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, RiteAid, etc.
Rebuttal: Despite being sold in pharmacies, these products are not medicine and are classified as supplements by the FDA. Just because something is sold in a pharmacy, does not mean that it has documented effects.