BBC science reporting is quackery

I’ve been saying it for a while and now apparently some leading scientists agree with me, according to the Times Online:

SOME of Britain’s leading scientists have accused the BBC of “quackery” by misleading viewers in an attempt to exaggerate the power of alternative medicine.

The criticisms centre on Alternative Medicine, a series broadcast on BBC2 in January, in which some of the most memorable scenes included open-heart surgery apparently carried out using acupuncture as an anaesthetic.

In another episode, brain images of patients undergoing acupuncture were claimed to show that the procedure had an effect on the parts of the brain that experience pain.

This weekend scientists turned on the programme’s  (sic) accusing them of distorting science in an attempt to present an unjustifiably positive image of complementary therapies. “They are peddling quack science,” said David Colquhoun, professor of pharmacology at University College London.

The most serious accusation concerns the BBC’s presentation of the anaesthetic powers of acupuncture. A heart patient underwent surgery in a Chinese hospital with a number of acupuncture needles stuck into her body.

Critics say that the needles could be credited with little real effect because the patient was also receiving three powerful conventional sedatives — midazolam, droperidol and fentanyl — along with large volumes of local anaesthetic injected into her chest.

They’re obviously referring to the so-called acupuncture anesthesia operation I commented on before. Although perhaps they also read one of the other acupuncture articles I also commented on. Each of those articles seemed to imply that acupuncture worked, although the studies they were commenting on clearly showed no such thing.

I don’t know why the BBC feels the need to pander to popularity in this way – it’s certainly not in its Royal Charter (but then again the Royals are quacks too, so perhaps it’s not surprising). If I still lived in the UK, and still had to pay the TV licence fee, I might be tempted to email a complaint. If I felt in the mood.

Is this the right room for an argument?

Comments

[Wolverine]

Sigh... I've noticed this for some time myself on the BBC News site. The number of articles they've run in recent months praising homeopathy is equally sickening.

The poor state of mainstream media science reporting in general delivers a sad commentary, especially considering that staggering numbers seem incapable of distinguishing between science and pseudo-science.

[pvandck]

The BBC have to be unbiased when it comes to Political reporting. They also have to be unbiased when discussing religious issues for fear of upsetting the fascistic, extremist evangelists and mullahs prevalent in all religions these days. Unfortunately there do also appear to be a number of halfwits in influential positions at the BBC who seem to think that it is their job to represent as equals both rationalism and science on the one hand and irrationalism and quackery on the other.
I do know that not everyone at the BBC is happy with the current state of affairs. In my view it is tantamount to State promotion of public ignorance. One question that comes to mind is: are there vested interests at work within the BBC with regard to the promotion of quack products and services?

[BronzeDog]

...are there vested interests at work within the BBC with regard to the promotion of quack products and services?

I don't know what the evidence says, but my gut says yes. Might have been something I ate, though.

[has]

"I don't know what the evidence says, but my gut says yes. Might have been something I ate, though."

You really should speak to Channel 4's Dr Gillian McKeith about that. Have your poo televised to millions of British households right in the middle of their dinner. Primetime coprophagy. Lovely.

[Big Al]

Well, has, perhaps we could coin the word "coprology" rather than the s*&t-eating "coprophagia". Has a rather more scientific and less revolting ring to it! :0

However, I agree with the woo-woo slant of the BBC now. Their fringe "science" programmes are a form of "coprography", I think.

[impatientpatient]

Why is the BBC doing this? Maybe for the same reason the NHS is cutting back on doctors and saying magnet therapy works. Propaganda?? If you haven't already, check out NHS Blog Doc for his view on what is Really happening with the state of medicine in Britain.

[Magnet therapy]

Spam deleted by Skeptico.

Message to “Magnet therapy” – stop posting spam to posts that have nothing to do with magnet therapy.