 |
 |
I must also beg to differ once again with some of these "snake-oil" attacks on people's characters. Frankly, I do not include myself amongst any sort of list "police" groups, of any sort. I am all for critical thinking and investigating all claims made here, but that means ALL claims made. I do sense an overwhelming bias against alternative treatments and sometimes docile, almost mindless acceptance of ideas and treatments either proposed or endorsed by standard western medical experts. No one seems to go after any of the traditional western MD's or pharmaceutical companies with the same zealousness reserved for those who ideas or proposed treatments are more on the fringe. I have seen lists of drugs posted here many times, sometimes with info making it clear that there's a profit motive involved, sometimes not. I do not think either side's motives are any more nor any less good/bad or selfish/unselfish. Has anyone stopped to consider that maybe some of these people got into the promotion of certain products for profit, only after having used them themselves, or having seen them used for others that they know. Personally, I think combining the ability to make some money, ALONG WITH a product in which one believes completely, is a wonderful combination. For instance, down the road, I've thought of also combining my environmental interests with a business. That might include alternatives to traditional pest control, alternative medicines, nutritional supplements, etc. I would be VERY offended, to say the least, if perhaps I were able to cure myself of PD via nutritional supplements and diet, and then had people attacking my character and motives later if I then decided to share this which had worked for me with others for a profit. If I found a vitamin/herb treatment program that worked for me, I'd love to just give it away, but since I'm not Bill Gates, I could hardly afford to do that. Thus self-interest comes into play too out of necessity. People should make their profit-making intentions clear, I agree. To be consistent then, there should also be alot more policing of the doctors, drug companies, and ALL OTHER groups who post here. I also take issue that when there are possible personal/corporate gains to be made on something alternative, that self-interest automatically also confers upon the product the label of snake-oil. Every drug or treatment ever discussed here would fall into that category, if profit alone is the criteria. Again, as I said above, and on an earlier post, not only might this person truly believe in this product due to personal experience, but also, they may have some very altruistic plans for those profits. Any business that I undertake would be something that was in line with my personal interests/issues, and also the profits I received would not only support me, but also help me to even further support those same issues. So, let's all maintain both critical and open minds. They are not mutually exclusive. There are also ways to challenge someone without attacking their integrity and motives, especially prematurely. Let's also make sure this critical analysis and investigation is applied equally all-around. And finally, let's avoid reducing issues to cliches like "snake-oil", etc. Wendy Tebay