Dear Orangeville Banner Editor:
The article by Ashley Goodfellow in the March 19th edition of the
Orangeville Banner concerns me greatly.
www.northpeel.com/br/orangeville/news/story/1754934p-2065124c.html
As a primary care provider, and as a real medical doctor who sees real
patients with really serious medical problems, I was astounded to see "live
blood analysis" done by a naturopath touted by the mother of a 7 month-old
baby with leukemia.
Live blood analysis is totally and completely bogus, and this is yet another
reason why the naturopaths in Ontario fail the grade. Did you know that in
many Provinces, there is absolutely no regulation of the industry?
Naturopaths in Ontario are supposed to be regulated under the Drugless
Practitioners Act - Naturopathy and they are supposed to be supervised by
their own board. But, the amount of quackery, and invasive procedures still
being done in Ontario by this group is common-place.
Even when done by real MDs, these procedures are without question -
quackery.
When local naturopath Katherine Ackland said the following, did it ever come
to mind that she might be practicing beyond her capabilities?:
"I get patients who are skeptical but most are still willing to try," says
Ackland. "With real skeptics, a lot of it is close-mindedness. Alternatives
are most definitely a lifestyle choice -- one made with the intent of being
consistent."
Anyone who entrusts their infant child to the care of any naturopath who
supports the use of live cell analysis, or other unproved devices or
procedures for leukemia needs to re-examine their ability to parent. It is
particularly egregious when your newspaper failed to interview pediatric
cancer specialists or hematologists for this story.
Would Ackland treat an infant for leukemia today? If not, why not?
I suggest that your readers might want to visit the Canadian QuackeryWatch
web site for another view of Naturopathy in Canada before allowing their
infant to be treated by any practitioner who is outside of their scope of
practice.
www.healthwatcher.net/Quackerywatch/Naturopathy/index.html
Terry Polevoy, MD
HealthWatcher.net
Terry Polevoy, MD
938 King St. West
Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 1G4 Canada
519-725-2263 -- 725-4953 fax
Consumer Health Watchdog
About Dr. Terry
Polevoy's Canadian Quackerywatch
Top of Document