Quantcast
ZME Science
  • CoronavirusNEW
  • News
  • Environment
    • Climate
    • Animals
    • Renewable Energy
    • Eco tips
    • Environmental Issues
    • Green Living
  • Health
    • Alternative Medicine
    • Anatomy
    • Diseases
    • Genetics
    • Mind & Brain
    • Nutrition
  • Future
  • Space
  • Feature
    • Feature Post
    • Art
    • Great Pics
    • Design
    • Fossil Friday
    • AstroPicture
    • GeoPicture
    • Did you know?
    • Offbeat
  • More
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Our stance on climate change
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
Home Health & Medicine

New Zealand MP demoted after suggesting homeopathy use in Ebola fight

Mihai Andrei by Mihai Andrei
November 5, 2014
in Health & Medicine, News
Photo / Getty Images

Green MP Steffan Browning was slammed by the public opinion and has subsequently been stripped of one of his portfolios after he suggested fighting Ebola with homeopathy.

I have  to admit, I couldn’t help a chuckle on finding this out. I mean, the fact that a Member of the Parliament of a developed country suggests treating one of the most contagious and dangerous diseases in the world with a technique with no scientific merit is so absurd you just couldn’t take it seriously… if it wasn’t real.

Last week, Mr Browning signed a petition started by Australian Fran Sheffield which called on the World Health Organisation (WHO) to “End the suffering of the Ebola crisis. Test and distribute homeopathy as quickly as possible to contain the outbreaks.” Uhm, yeah, homeopathy doesn’t have any effect on human health aside for a placebo and other purely psychological effects. If you’re still not convinced yet, feel free to check out the linked articles – I’ve explained (and quote scientific studies) time and time again how it doesn’t work.

ADVERTISEMENT

But back to the situation, I’m glad to say that Greens co-leader Metiria Turei said the party caucus had decided to remove Mr Browning’s responsibility for the natural health portfolio. They say it’s part of “rebuilding confidence” in the party. I was hoping the move was about supporting real science and fighting bogus claims… but it’s better than nothing.

Get more science news like this...

Join the ZME newsletter for amazing science news, features, and exclusive scoops. More than 40,000 subscribers can't be wrong.

   

Mr Browning accepted the decision, even though he said he doesn’t oppose homeopathy “on a personal level” – something which he clearly doesn’t, seeing as he signed a petition promoting it in the fight against Ebola.

“We are in politics and issues come up. But I am real happy to get on with my other portfolios and you’ll see me perform on those.”

I’m just curious when (or rather, if) we’ll start seeing demotions like this in other countries… like, you know, the USA?

ADVERTISEMENT

Tags: Ebolahomeopathynew zealand
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Andrei's background is in geophysics, and he's been fascinated by it ever since he was a child. Feeling that there is a gap between scientists and the general audience, he started ZME Science -- and the results are what you see today.

Follow ZME on social media

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Coronavirus
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Feature
  • More

© 2007-2019 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Coronavirus
  • News
  • Environment
    • Climate
    • Animals
    • Renewable Energy
    • Eco tips
    • Environmental Issues
    • Green Living
  • Health
    • Alternative Medicine
    • Anatomy
    • Diseases
    • Genetics
    • Mind & Brain
    • Nutrition
  • Future
  • Space
  • Feature
    • Feature Post
    • Art
    • Great Pics
    • Design
    • Fossil Friday
    • AstroPicture
    • GeoPicture
    • Did you know?
    • Offbeat
  • More
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Our stance on climate change
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2019 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.