The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

download The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

of 16

Transcript of The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    1/16

    The Unhealthy AllianceCrusaders for "health freedom 0 ',,\:

    A special report by theAmerican Council on Science and Health

    t. ..!!S,American Council on Science and Health

    1995 Broadway, 18th RoorNew Yofk, NY 10023(212) 362-7044

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    2/16

    ~ n h e a l t h y AllianceCrusaders for "health freedom"t. ~ 1988, American Council on Science and Health1995 Broadway, 18th FloorNew York, NY 10023(212) 362-7044This special report was written by Stephen Barrett, M.D., Scientific and editorial consultant to the American Council of ScienceHealth (ACSH). Dr. Barrett, who practices psychiatry in Allentown, Pennsylvania, edits the Nutrition Forum newsletter and is cauthor/editor of 21 books includingVitamins and "Health" Foods: The Great Amrican Hustle. In 1984 he received the FDACommissioner's Special Citation Award for Public Service in fighting nutrition quackery.ACSH gratefully acknowledges the comments and c0nttibutions of the following individuals who reviewed this report:. I ,Eric S. Berger, M.D. Fredrick J. Stare, M.D., Ph.D. 1American Council on Science and Health Harvard School of Public HealthF. J. Francis, Ph.D.University of MassachusettsPaul M. Hyman, Esq.Washington, D.C.Edward G. Remmers, Sc.D.American Council on Science and Health

    Stephen S. Sternberg, M.D.Memorial Sloan-KetteringJack S. Weinstein, MD., J.D.South Orange, N.J.Elh:abeth M. Whelan, Sc.D., M.P.H.American Council on Science and Health

    The opinions expressed in ACSH publicatioos do not necessarily represent the views or all ACSH Directors and Advisors.

    What is the American Council on Science and Health?The American Council on Science and Health is a consumer education organization concerned with issues related to food, nutrition, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, lifestyle, the environment and health. ACSH is an independent, non-profit, trut-exempt association.The nucleus of ACSH is a board of more than 200 physicians, scientists, and policy advisors-experts in a widevariety of fields who review the Council's reports andparticipate in ACSH seminars, press conferences, mediacommunications and other educational activities.With these goals in mind, ACSH produces a wide range ofpublications including peer-reviewed reports; a bimonthlynewsletter covering current health issues; an infonnalquarterly newsletter covering ACSH activities that involve advisors, executives and staff; consumer infonnation flyers; and proceedings from ACSH seminars andconferences.

    In addition, ACSH produces a nationally sYncticated radcommentary series, hosts annual seminars and press coferences and presents an annual award to an outstandinscientists for his or her achievements. ACSH also direcan in-house internship program for students in healscience fields and participateS inlegislative and regulatohearings, radio and television pro#'IRIS/publicand other forums; and ACSH's research findings receivextensive coverage in the news media.Individual memberships are available at $40 per year aninclude all ACSH publications and future scientific rports. Reduced rates ($15 per year) are offered to studensenior citizens and libraries. Subscription to ACSH New& Views only is available at $15.Please make all checks payable to American Council oScience and Health, and mail to: ACSH, 1995 Broadwa18th floor, New York, NY 10023

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    3/16

    TABLE OF CONTENTSSection PageIntroduction ............................................................................................. 3National IIealth Federation ..................................................................... 3NH:Fs board chainnan ...............................4Odler NH:F leaders ............................................................................. 6NIIFs "Vitamin Bil l" ....................................................................... 11Promotion of laetrile ....................................................................11

    Opposition to fluoridation .................................................................12Health Alternatives Legal Foundation ...................................................13American Quack Association ............................................................ 13Coalition for Alternatives in Nutrition and Health Care ........................13Overview ................................................................................................15Appendix I: Glossary of questionable methods .. :................................ 15Appendix Il: Antiquackery groups .........................................................16

    1INTRODUCTIONThe National Health Federation is an alliance ofpromoters andfollowers who engage in lobbying campaigns and many otheractivities. The Health Alternatives Legal Foundation, led byattorneys, is working primarily through the courts. The Ameri-can Quack Association is a mutual support network of "holistic"practitioners. The Coalition for Alternatives in Nutrition and

    Health Care is primarily involved in lobbying. All four groupsare antagonistic toward accepted medical practices and use thewords "alternative" and "freedom" to suit their own purposes.Many of their leaders have been involved in questiooable healtactivities, and some have even been convicted ofcrimes involving such methods.

    -r 'fHE NATIONAL HEALTHFEDERATION (NHF)The National Health Federation isheadquartered in Monrovia, California andmaintains a legislative office in Washington, D.C. Its members pay from $20 pel'year for "regular" membership to a total of$1,000 or more for "perpetual" member-ship. NllF members receive occasionalmailings and amonthly magazine calledHealth Freedom News (formerly calledPublic Scrutiny and theNHF Blllletin).According to theNational Health Federa-tion Handbook, any two members can starta local chapter by adopting NHFsconstitution and bylaws. naining tempo-rary officers alldteeeiving cie.ance fromNllF headquarters. Currendy NHF has 78chapters in 29 states and about20,000members.Since its formation. NHFs stated purposehas been topromOlie "medom of choicle .by consumers. As expessed for years inits Bulletin:

    NHF opposes monopoly aNl o m p u l ~sion in things related to health wltere

    the safety and welfare ofothers arenot concerned. NHF does not opposenor approve any specific healing pro-fession or their methods, but it doesoppose the efforts ofany one group torestrict the freedom ofpractice off!.ualified members ofanother profes-sion, thus attempting to create a mo-nopoly.

    At first glance, this credo may seem"democratic" and somehow related tounfair business competition. What NH Freally means, however, is that goverm:nentshould not help scienlifically-based healthcare to drive unproven methods out of the1nwtetplace. NHF w ants anyone whoclaims to have an effective treatment orproduct to be allowed to mskel itwithoutscientific proof that it works.NHF promota questionable bealdlmethods and ... ittle intaest in medicallyaccepable types of ueaament. HealthFreedom News contains ads for questionable treatments and products that are beingmmteted illegally. Nutritional fads,Imylbs, and gimmicks aremenlionedfavorably by NHF publications and

    convention speakers. Worthless cancertreabnents, particularly laetrile. have bepromoted in the same ways. Articles inNH:F publications look with disfavor onsuch proven public health measures as pasteurization of milk, immunization,water flumdation, and food irradiation.Use of nutritimal supplements is encouaged by claims thatmo&im food procesing depletes our food supply of tsnutrients. "Natural" and "organic"products are promoted with suggestionsthal: our food supply is "poisoned."Chiropractic, naturopathy and homeopaare regarded favorably. Books thatpromote questionable health concepts agiven favorable reviews. Antiquackerylegislation is condemned. Underlying athese messages is the idea that anyooewho opposed NHF's ideas is part ofa"conspiracy" ofgovttnment, organizedmedicine and big business against the liconsumer.NHF is very aclive in the political arenafl pesents testimony to regulatoryagencies and sponsors legislation aimedkeeping govenunent infelference with thhealth food indmtry to aminimum. To

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    4/16

    bolster the influence of its lobbyist, it assc'ssed $2,750 and served two yearsgenerates letter-writing campaigns that summary probation.urge legislators and government officialsto support NHF positions. These cam- able and false nutritional information in In 1973, Donsbach was charged with paigns typically include charges of perse- the world." more counts of illegal activity, includcution, discrimination and conspiracy. misbranding of drugs; selling, holdingNHF also files lawsuits against govern- NHF's board chairman ~ a l e , or offering for sale, new drugs wment agencies and helps defend people Kurt W. Donsbach, D.C., N.D., D.Sc., out having the proper applications onprosecuted for selling questionable Ph.D., has been chairman ofNHF's board and manufacturing drugs without a"health" products or services. Not surpris- of governors since 1975, when he replaced license. After pleading "no contest" tingly, most of NHF' s leaders have been Fred Hart. His other activities and one Of the "new drug" charges, he waeconomically involved with the issues it enterprises have been so numerous and ordered to pay a small fine and was phas promoted. complex that no one-including Donsbach on two year,s' summary probation withimself-seems able to document all of provision that be i c t ~ l f of allNHF was founded in 1955 by Fred J. Hart, them with certainty. proprietaryjnlerest in Westpro Labs.who was president of the Electronic 1974, he was.found guilty of violatingMedical Foundation, a company that Donsbach (pronounced Dons-bah) probation and was fined again.marketed quack devices. In 1954, Hart graduated in 1957 from Western Statesand his foundation were ordered by a U.S. Chiropractic College, iqPortland, Oregon, Donsbach sold the company to RichLDistrict Court to stop distributing 13 and practiced as a chiropractor in Mon- Inc., bf .}naheim, California, a subsiddevices with false claims that they could tana, "specializing in treatment of arthritic of Moxie Industries, of Atlanta, Georgdiagnose and treat hundreds of diseases and rheumatoid disorders." FroM 1961 to for $250,000. He was also promisedand conditions. In 1962, Hart was fined 1965 he worked in "research development $20,000 a year for occasionally conduby the court for violating this order. Hart and marketing" for Standard Process ing seminars and operating the compadied in 1976, but his widow still serves as Laboratories (a division of Royal Lee's booth at trade shows. The agreementNHF's executive secretary. Vitamin Products Company) and the Lee gave RichLife sole right to market DrFoundation for Nutritional Research, Donsbaeh Pak Vitamins, which RichLRoyal S. Lee, D.D.S., a nonpracticing headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. later described as "specialized formuldentist who died in 1967, helped Hart to "help make your life less complicatfound NHF and served on its board of While Donsbach worked for Lee, he lived more healthy." Among the products wgovernors. Lee owned and operated the in California, did literature research, and Arth Pak, Athletic Pak, Dynamite PakVitamin Products Company, which sold gave nutrition seminars (primarily to Health and Beauty Pak and Stress Forfood supplements, and the Lee Foundation chiropractors) on how to determine Pak.for Nutritional Research, which distributed nutritional deficiencies. In 1962, heliterature on nutrition and health. One of acquired a doctor of naturopathy (N.D.) Donsbach then became president ofthe vitamin company's products was degree from the now-defunct Hollywood Metabolic Products, a company speciCatalyn, a patent medicine composed of College of Naturopathic Medicine and ing in "orthomolecular concepts," whmilk sugar, wheat starch, wheat bran and became licensed as a natumpath in he sold in 1975. According to literatuother plant material. During the early Oregon. After Lee became ill, Donsbach from Metabolic Products, its garlic ex1930s, a shipment of Catalyn was seized lefl his employ and opened Nature's Way could "prevent cellular deterioration,"by the FDA and destroyed by court order Health Food Store, in Wesuninster, alfalfa product had "anti-toxin properbecause it had been marketed with false California, and Westpro Laboratories, in which could help to overcome "-itisclaims of effectiveness against serious Garden Grove, California, which repack- diseases," and so on.diseases. In 1945, Lee and his company aged dietary supplements and a few drugs.were ordered by the FDA to discontinue In 1975, Donsbach began producing Dillegal claims for Catalyn and other In 1970, undercover agents of the Fraud Donsbach teltsyiJueverything you alproducts. In 1956, the Post Office Division of the California Bureau of Food wanted to know about . . ., a large serDeparunent charged Lee's foundation and Drug observed Donsbach representing booklets on such topics as acne, arthrwith fraudulent promotion of a book to customers in his store that vitamins, cataracts, ginseng, glandular extracts,called Diet Prevents Polio. The founda- minerals and/or herbal tea were effective heart disease, and metabolic eancertion agreed to discontinue the challenged against cancer, heart disease, emphysema therapies. According to Donsbach, mclaims. In 1962, Lee and the Vitamin (a chronic lung disease) and many other than eight million have been sold. ThProducts Company were convicted of booklets were published by the lnternailments. Most of the ptoducts Donsbachmisbranding 115 special dietary products "prescribed" were packaged by Westpro tional Institute of Natural Health Sci-by making false claims for the treaunent Labs. Charged with nine counts of illegal e ~ r a t e d by Donsbach-whicof more than 500 diseases and conditions. activity, Donsbach pleaded guilty in 1971 sold distribution rights to RichLife.Lee received a one-year suspended prison to one count of practicing medicineterm and was fined $7,000. In 1963, a without a license and agreed to cease In 1980, the District Attorney of Oranprominent FDA official said Lee was "nutritional consultation." He was County charged RichLife with makin"probably the largest publisher of unreli- false and illegal claims for various

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    5/16

    products, including some originallyfonnuJated by Donsbach. In a courtapproved settlement, RichLife paid$50,000 and agreed to stop making theclaims. In 1986, RichLife was chargedwith violating this agreement and wasassessed $48,000 more in another court-approved seuJement.In 1984, Donsbach was suedby JzOb Stake, of Urbana. Illinois. who claims thathe became i ll andwu hospitali7.ed as aresult of ingesting large amounts ofvitamin A over a 2 lfl-year period. Thesuit papers state that Stake began fatingthe vitamin at age 16 because t ~recommended in Doosbach's bootlet onacne. The case is sdD pending.During the mid-1970s, Donsbach affiliatedwith Union University, an unaccreditedschool in Los Angeles, where he says heacquired a master's degree in molecularbiology and a Ph.D. in nutrition. In adeposition in the Stake case, he testifiedthat he also was awarded an honorarydoctor of science degree from ChristianUniversity, an unaccredited school whichhad operated in Los Angeles. However,two reporters have said he told them thathis "D.Sc." was oblairiedfrom aMidwestBible college.In 1977, Union University formed aDepartment of Nutrition, "with KurtDonsbach, Ph.D., Sc.D., as Dean of theDepartment." RichLife then offeredscholarships to its retailers who wished tofurther their education. Later Donsbachlaunched and became president of his ownschool, Donsbach University, which in1979 was "authorized" by California togrant degrees. This status had nothing todo with accreditation or other ac8demicrecognition, butmerely required the fdingof an affidavit which describes theschool's program and aMerts filing of anaffidavit h i c h ~ the school'sprogram and asserts that it has at least$50,000 in &Mets.Donsbech University, which operaledmainly by mail, initially offeredcoursesleading to B.S.,M.S. and Ph.D. "degrees"in nutrition at fees ranging from $1,495 to$3,795, with a20% discount for advancepayment Most of the "textbooks"requiredfor the ''buic curriculum" were bookswritten for the general public by promot-ers of questionable nuuition practices,

    including Donsbach, Carlton Fredericks,Lendon Smith, and Robert Atkins. Theoriginal "facuhy" had seven members,including Donsbach, and Alan H. Nittler,M.D. {who. according to NHF. "1osl hismedical license in 1915be cw heutilized nutritional therapiesj. But ads forthe school promised "the finest qualityrmtrilicn education available anywhere.Donsbach University also offered counesin iridology. homeopathy. herbal dlerapy,and chiropractic u s ~ administration,as well as a $495 ..mini-course" innutriticn for rewlerswho wanted a"Dietary Consultant" certificate.In 1980, one of the schoots advisors,Benjamin Colimore, was prosecuted bythe Los Angeles City Attorney for conduct during the operation of a health food storeowned by him and his wife. Prosecutionwas initiated after a customer complainedthat the Colimores had diagnosed a badheart valve, pancreatic abscesses andbenign growths of her liver, intestine andstomach-all based oo an analysis of herhair-and prescribed two products fromthe store. After pleading "no contest" toone C01Dlt of practicing medicine without alicense, the Colimores were fined $2,000,given a (,()-day suspended jail sentence,and placed on probation for two years.In 1979, Donsbach began publishing theJournal of he International Academy ofNutritional Consultants, with Dr. Nittleras its editor. The first issue had a press runof about 25,000 copies, most of whichwere sent free-of-charge to chiropractors.The second issue explained that Academymembers could be listed in a directory,and that the Academy ''will in no wayencourageor tolerate the practice ofmedicine under the gilise of nutritionalconsultation" and would establish a legalfund to protect its members from "undueand unfair harassment by bureaucracies oragencies." Regular membership in theAcademy, open to anyone, cost $10 peryeat (later taised to $11/year) an(fm-cluded a subscription to its journal,ProfessinAd membership, which cost $50per year, included a directory listing plus a''beautiful certificate f

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    6/16

    syndicated radio talk show called "Let'sTalk Health," which Donsbach hosted.HR.G's products were promoted frequentlyduring the broadcasts, which were beamedby satellite to about 20 small stations.Listeners were invited to call in questionson a toll-free number.In 1984, Donsbach announced that he hadrepurchased from RichLife the right to sellproducts with his name, and HRG beganpromoting such products as Orachel(claimed to be effective against heartdisease), C-Thru (claimed to be effectiveagainst cataracts) and Prosta-Pak (''nuttitional support for the prostate gland").In June 1985, the FDA sent Dombach andHRG a regulatory letter indicating thatclaims made for Orachel made it anunapproved new drug that was illegal tomarket. A few months later, New YorkState Attorney Genezal Robert Abramshad Orachel seized from several retailoutlets in the New York City area andfiled suit to block further sale and distribution of the product throughout the state. Itturned out, however, that before either ofthese actions were taken, Donsbach hadtransferred ownership of HRG Enterprisesto a business associate. Marketing ofOrachel was stopped, but Ora-Flow, anidentical Donsbach product, is still beingmarketed.In July 1985, Abrams brought actionsagainst Donsbach, his University, and theInternational Institute of Natural HealthSciences, charging that they lacked legalauthorization to conduct busiDess withinNew York State and that it was illegal tgadvertise unaccredited degrees to stateresidents. Abrams also charged that theInstitute's Nutrient Deficiency Test was "ascheme to defraud consumers" by inducing them to buy dietary supplements tocorrect supposed deficiencieswith the test.This test was composed of 245 yes/DOquestions about symptoms. When theanswers are fed into a computer, a reportof supposed nutrient deficiencies andmedical conditions is printed ou t However, experts who have evaluated thequestions did not believe they provide abasis for evaluating nutritional status.Moreover, a scientist with the FDA'sBuffalo district office who analyzed thetest's computer program in connection

    with prosecution of a Dons1)ach University"graduate" found that no matter how thequestions were answered, the test reportedseveral "nutrient deficiencies" and almostalways recommended ari identical list ofvitamins, minerals and digestive enzymes.The questionnaire also contained a sectionwith questions about the subject's foodintake during the past week. However, theanswers given did not affect the printoutof supposed deficiencies!In 1986, Donsbach and the Institute agreedto: 1) restrict the sale of tsNUJrientDeficiency Test to health care professionals legally authorized w-piactice withinNew York State; 2) stop marketing in NewYork State all current versions of itsnutrient deficiency questionnaire andassociated computer analysis services; 3)place conspicuous disclaimers on futureversions of the questionnaire to indicatethat the test should not be used for thediagnosis or treatment of any disease byeither consumers or professionals; and 4)pay $1,000 in costs. Donsbach and theUniversity agreed to disclose in any directmailings to New York residents or in anynationally distributed publication that theschool's degree programs are not registered with the New York Department ofEducation and are not accredited by anyaccrediting commission recognized by theU.S. Department of Education. TheUniversity also agreed to pay $500 to NewYork State.During 1986 and partof 1987, Donsbachwas .. herapy CQOrdinator" of the BioGenesis Institute in Baja. Mexico, whichoffered "chronic and acute care fordegenerative disorders." Included in itsscope were "aging rejuvenation, allergies,arthritis, cancer, a r d k ) v ~ u l a r , cataracts,immune stimulation, and multi.pk sclerosis." The treaunents offered included oraland intravenous chelation thttapy, laetrile.live cell therapy, homeopathy, DMSO,and colonic,s! Hydrogen peroxide was alsoused intravmottsly. o r a l l t ~ and in eardrops, a nasal spray, a tooth gel, a paingel, breath drops and enemas. The cost oftreatment at ~ IDstiture was.$795for the 4 Day Executive Program, $2,750for the 11 Day Rejuvenation Program, and$5,000 for the 24 Day Total ~ Pro-gram. But the Institute's information

    packet included a 20% discount certificand stated that "there will be no chargeyour condition is unimproved by the timyou leave."In 1987, Dombach University announcthat Donsbach had resigned as presidenand board chairman and that the schoolwould be renamed International University for Nutrition Education. Donsbachalso began operating the newly-builtHospital Santa Monica, in Baja, Mexicwhose 21 Day Total Care Program issimilar to that advertised for the Biogensis Institute. Brochures from HospitalSanta Monica describe it as a 60-bedmultimillion dollar facility and st.8te thapayment in advance is required. Patientw i ~ insurance must)J!l!Y $5,000 withcash or a tashier'scheck, while those wsatisfactory insurance must deposit$2,500.Donsbach has claimed that thousands opeople have enrolled in his university athat more than 1,000 have graduated. Ahis graduates began representing themselves to the public as nutrition professionals, the American Dietetic Associabegan a drive for passage of state lawsrestrict use of the word ''nutritionist" toqualified professionals with accreditedtraining. NHF is opposed to such legisltion.Donsbach's logo is "Health is Wealth.Despite his apparently enormous grossincome, he filed for ~ t c y in Mar1987, listing no assets and over $3 milin debts claimed by more than 100creditors.Other NHF leadersDuring NHF's early years, Andrew S.Rosbenberger served as the group's"nutrition chairinan" and spoke at NHFconventions. For many years, he and hbrother e n r y ~ a large chain ohealth food stores calledNature FoodCenters. In 1938, their finn made anagreement with the FI'C to stop makintherapeutic claims for more than 20

    p r o d ~During the 1950s, the PostOffice Depment filed a number of compJainfs agathe firm for making faJse thapeuticclaims for various products. In each cathe company agreed to discontinue the

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    7/16

    claims. In 1962, the Rosenberger brothers - Walter Douglas Brodie, M.D., bas beenwere fined $5,000 each and given 6-month convicted twice of failing to file incomesuspendedprison sentencm f

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    8/16

    In 1979, Evers moved bispractice to lheBahamas. According to the January 1980NHFBulletin, he left the U.S. because hewas .. iredof FDA harassment," he facedmillion-dollar lawsuits by survivors of woof bispatients who died,.and he wasunable to obtain insurance coverage as aresult of these various legal actions.However, in 1980 he returned here andopened lhe 90-bed Evers HeaJth Centa atSealy Springs. a 665-acie ,llineml bllhresut in Cottonwood, Alabama. Accord-ing to a chiropractic assOciate, Ewrs leftthe Bahamas because be was unable toobtain necessary work pmnits from lheBahamian government.Evers' letterofwelcome to prospectivepatients states that bis prsticehas been"limited to the diagnosis and llelllDe8Iofchronic degenerative c:tiseaaes.bJ thenutritional, non-toxic, metabolic methodincluding chelation therapy. Inaddition...we have special regimes ofueaunent fm lhe various 4iseaaes suchsuch as arthritis. ALS. MS. diabetes,cancer,Paddnsm's disease, e&c." Since1983, bis weekly ratesWe been from.$2,400 to $2.7SO f(ll' aoocancpatientsand $3,100 f( lrunca patients, widl oneweek's payment required in advance. Atypical day at the clinic includes a visitwith Dr. Evers. spiaa1 manipulation by bischirop'actic associate, chdation therapy {3hours).and other1herapies such ashyperbaric oxygm and colonic irrigation.One of he diagnostic devices used at lheEven Health Cenfeds the AGcupatb 1000..This is lhe galvanometer t o acomputer programmed to inteqntc"elec'1:omagnetic energies emanating frompoints corresponding to the body's variousorgans and structures." Touching a probeto various points in the bandsand feetsupposedly enables a teclmiathic remedies, not conventionaldrugs. The FDA cmsidezs the devicea .significant heallh huald.In Decembes 1986, lhe Alabama MedicalLlcensure Commission revoked Evers'medical license. buta circuit court judgeSlayed lhe revocaUoo ~ b e - a p p e a l s i tin state court. Evers is also appealing asuit challenging the basis of he licensinglaw. According to an llUcJc in Alterna-tives. the proceecUngs against Evers werebased on bis useof an llcllbal salve to treata 37-year-old woman who bad cancer anddied several mootbs later, preswnably ofher cancer. The revocalion was for..engaging in the practice of medicine insuch a mannel' as to endanger the health of[the patient]," "using untruthful ordeceptive or improbable statementsconcemillg the effects or resul&s of bispropoaed r e a t m e n t . ~ . . . demonstratingunprofessional conduct in the tteatrilent of[the palient) .. The Commissionalsoconcluded that v e r s ' . . ~ constituted..gross malprac&ice.." His fee schedulenow states that he no longer treats cancerpatients.Michael Gerbu. M.D,. bad bis Califmniamedical licenae revoked afterhearbigsbefore the Califomia Board of MedicalQuality Assurance in which he wasaccused in 1984 of improperly administering to plQeP,ts. One patient was a 56-year-_oldwoman widl trealable cancer who badallegedly died as a result of Gerber'sneglect while he lrea&ed her with herbs,enzymes, ooft'ee enemas and chelationthempy. The otberpalients were 3-yearold twin boys with - ipfecQons farwhich Gaber had JRSCrlbed 7(}.000

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    9/16

    of Naturopathic Physicians. Bob Hoffman, who died in 1985,published two bodybuilding magazines(Strtngth andHealth and AIJUCularDevelopment) and aold bodybuildingequipment and food supplement productsthrough his t-OIDpUly,Y BarbellCo., ofYork, PeDllS.ylVJmia. In 1 9 6 0 ~ ~ ~was charged with misbranding j&s EnergolGenn Oil Concentrate because literatureaccompanying the oil claimed falsely dialit could prevent or treat more than 120diseases and conditions, includingepilepsy, gallstones and arthritis. Thematerial was desttoyed by consent decree.In 1961, 15 o t b e r Y o r k ~ U p r o d u c t swere seized as misbranded. In 1968, alarges number of products came Widerattack by die government fm similarreasons. In the coment decree that settledthe 1968 case, Hoffman and York Barbellagreed to stop a long list of questionablehealth claims for their products. In Im ,the FDA seized a shipment of three typesof York Barbell protein supplements.charging that hey were misbranded withfalse and misleading bodybuilding claims.A few months later, the seized productswere destroyed imder adefaaltdeaee. In1974, the company was again chargedwith misbranding Energol Ge.am OilConcentrate and protein supplements. Thewheat germ oil had been claimed to be ofspecial dietary value as a sourc.eof vigorand energy. A variety of bodybuildingclaims bad been made for the proteinsupplements. The seized products weredesttoyedunder a consea.t deaee.Despite his many brushes with the law,Hoffman achieved coosidemble l!IOf'es-sional prominence. During his athleticcareer, first as an oarsman and then as aweightlifter, he received OVC{ 600 trophies, e r t i f ~ . anctawards. He was theOlympicweigbdiftingcoech1$m1936 to1968 and was a founding member of thePresidenl's Council on Physical FiinesBand Spmts. These activities helped mateHoffman amajor factor in thegrowdl ofnutritional fads for athletes. Max Huberman has been presidentof theNational Nutritional Foods Associationand a board member of the AmericanNatural Hygiene Society. Victor Earl Irons, who was vice chair-

    man ofNHF's boardof governors formore than 20 years. Reeived a ne-yearpison senteace in 1957 f

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    10/16

    this group in 1984, he said:Doctors complain that quacks keeppatients away from orthodox medi-cine. I cheer! Since all the treatments,both orthodox and alternative.forcancer, coronary heart disease,hypertension, stroU, and arthritis,are equally waproven, why would asane person choose treatment thatcan lcill the patient?

    During the past two years, Mendelsohnhas appeared in adsby Natumlly VitaminSuppJements of Scottsdale, Arizona,advocating daily use of Bio-Strath, aproduct descn"bed as an herb and yeastmixture containing "10 B-vitarnins, 19minenls, 18 amino acids and importantactive enzymes." (There are only eight Bvitamins.) According to Mendelsohn,Biostrath "can help people who experiencedaily tiredness, fatigue and difficultconcentration ..may stimulale the inmnmesystem. And may actually help us toassimilate more natural fuel from thefoods we eat." These claims are illegal inadvertising and labeling. In 1986, theNational Nutritional Foods AssociationgaveMendelsohn its annual RachelCarson Memorial Award for this "concerns for the potection of the Amtticanconsumer and health freedoms." Betty Lee Morales, who died in 1987,was presidentof the Cancer ControlSociety. She published two newsletters,owned ahealth food store, and was co-owner of Eden Ranch, the company whichmarketed Betty Lee Morales SignawreBrand food suppJements. Promotionalmaterial from Eden Ranch suggests thatAmericans who do not use food supplements run a significant risk of developingdeficiency mseases. Among its manysuppJementproducts are Lipottopic Plus,to relieve l i v e r ~ . " and Nia-Flex, torelieve stiff oints.Dwing her career, Mrs. M

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    11/16

    MaureenKennedy Sala.man, NHF'spresident since 1982, hosts a radio talkshow and has been very active in promoting questionable cancer remedies. In 1977,her husband, Frank, was convicted ofconspiracy to smuggle laetrile into theUnited States. Her 1983 book, Nutrition:The Cancer Answer, claims that "theAmerican Cancer Society advocatestreating cancer rather than preventiitg it "Miriam Spaulding is a leading distributorfor Neo-Life Corporation.Emory Thurston, who died in 1981, wasan active promoter of laetrile and dis-played pamphlets he edited at a booth atNHF conventions. At a 1973 convention,when approached by an agent of theCalifornia Bureau of Food and Drug whosaid she had cancer of the uterus, Thurstonsaid he could supply her with laetrile. Heinstructed the agent to contact him at hisoffice at the Institute for NutritionalResearch in Hollywood. She did Duringhis next meeting, Thurston sold laetrile tothe agent and advised her not to havesurgery. After additional evidence againstThurston was gathered. he was convicted,fined, and placed on probation for twoyears.Paul J. Virgin, who has served as NHFtreasurer, was public relations director ofthe Alta-Dena Dairy, the leading producerof certified raw (unpasteurized) milk. Thisdairy has been implicated as a source ofSalmonella infection in raw milk consumers in California. Floyd Weston is a former insuranceexecutive who said in an interview inNHF's Public Scrutiny that he hadorganized a group of businessmen in 1975"to conduct a wcrldwide search for theanswer to good health." One of his" ~ " : , w u 1U1"electrodiagnosis"m a c h ~ ~ oo'me theory thaf bere is"an electric wiring system in the body-each organ having a wire that goe$to astandard location in the ban& and feet."Weston claimed such devices can "verifythe exact condition of individual organsthroughout the body," "differentiatebetween acute, chronic or degenerativestages," and "discover these pathologicprocesses when regular clinical diagnosescannot detect them." Treatment is thenadministered with homeopathic remedies,vitamins and/or minerals.

    -rticles in the Las Vegas Review-Journalindicate that in 1979 Weston set up HealthManagement Corporation (HMC), in LasVegas, Nevada, With subsidiaries tooperate a homeopathic clinic (The NevadaClinic) and to market electrodiagnostic

    devices and homeopathic remedies.Weston opened The Nevada Clinic in1980 with F. Fuller Royal, M.D., theleading American practitioner of electrodiagnosis, who later became chairman ofNevada's homeop8thic licensing board.But in 1983 they parted company, and in1984, Royal became sole owner. Homeopathy, Inc., another,HMC pubsidiary,distn'buted homeopathic remedies from1984 through 1986 until the state revokedits corporate charter for failure to payannual fees. HMC has also marketedremedies through two multilevel companies. In 1986, Weston became president,ofthe U.S. Homeopathic Association afterpurchasing the rights to its name and logo.He told the e v i e w - J ~ u r n a l reporter thatbringing to Nevada therapies not practicedelsewhere in the United States can answerthe state's need for economic diversification. Sid Williams, D . C ~ , i$ a prominentchimpracUr who fouDded two chiropracticcolleges and has been president of theInternational Chiropractors Association,the second-largest chiropractic group inthe United States. Williamsalso operatespractice-building seminars in whk:hchiropract

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    12/16

    Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruledagainst Rutherford in 1979, the affidavitsystem was not dismantled until 1987.During the appeals process. llutherfotdbecame an NHF governot, KirkpatrickDilling became one of his lawyers, andNHF took care of his attorney fees.From 1978 to 1982, NHFpublished PublicScrutiny, amonthly newspaper (laterconverted to a magazine) whose primaryfocus was on lae1ri1e and "mecabolictherapy." Most of its original staffmembers were n e n t ptomOters oflaetrile, and three of its .ivisers had beencOIMcted of1aetrile-re1ated crimes. Eachissue of Public Scrutiny contained a fullpage ad from the Lattrile InformationCenter, acompany near 1he :Mexicanborder which would arrange for legalimportation. Mexican clinics and ochetsellers of laetrile also advertised regularlyin Public Scrutiny.After NHF governor James Privitera,M.D was charged with a laetrile-relatedoffense, appeals in Public Scrutiny raisedmore than $5,000 to help defend him; andafter he was convicted, NHFgeneratedmore than 10,000 form letters askingCalifornia governor Jerry Brown to pstdonhim. NHF also gave $5,000 toward thelegal expenses of the parents of ChadGreen, a 3-year-old boy widt leukemia,and an NHF govemot served as a lawyerfor the parents.Chad attracted natic;nwide attentiart whenhis frunily moved to Mtttko to defy aMassachusetts court order that the boyreceive proper therapy and step gettinglaetrile. The October 1979 issue ofPublicScrutiny described how Chad was thriving, how his father was studying for acareer us a 11ttuttitl01t eortsultant," and howChad's mother had stopped his cheniotherapy withOOt telling the Mexican ctinicdoctor. A few days ilfltt the rtewspaperwas distributed, tlW bely dled. Chad'sparents continued to promote 1aetrile andchlim t1uu he died because ht "lost the willto live .. ttowevet. the autopsy showedrecuttettt leuketttla. and y ~ wasfound hi liver littd 8tJleen.NHF lliso wisted the jMtettts of .toeyHofbauet, llit 8-yeat-old bOy With _ttodgkih 1s disea!le, ll form of cancerusually cllt8ble in its early stages. In 1977,New Y tlc Stiltt litithmties libttght custody

    of Joey because his parel'ltS chose laetrileover effective treatment for die boy. WithNlDi auotney 1 : Dilling representing die parents, the court ruled thatthey were "ooncemed and k>viog" and"RO( negleclfol" in rejecting orthodoxtreaimeM. After 18 months of Jaeuile andmegavitamin treatment ftom MichaelSchachttt. M.D. (a NewYotk psychiatristwho occasionaJ1y lectures at NHP conventions), Joey was moved to tfte Bahamasfor another type of questionable treaUnent.He died in 1980 with lungs fall of tumors.A bill to e:ic.empt laetrile ftoM FDAjurisdiction was i n ~ by PubllcScnai1rls e g i s l a i i ~ e actvbor. physicianCongressman Latry McDonald (t>-GA). In1979, a malpractice suit against him bysurvivorsofa patient he treated withlaetrile wm settled for $30.(JOO. NHF'sefforts to exempt 1aetrile petered out afterMcDonald was killed in the crash of theKOh*'I plane shot down by the R u ~ i a n sin 1983.Opposition to fluoridationAdjusting commwiity drinking water toabout one part fluoride to one million partsof water is a safe, simple and inexpensiveway to help prevent tooth decay. AlthoughNHF's leaders claim to be interested inIX'Cventing disease by "proper nutrition,,.they are rigidly ~ to fluoridation.Over the years, NflF has assembled agreat many docwnents which it claims are"proof' .that fluoridation is dangerous(which it is not). Close examination ofthese docuinerits, however, shows thatthey contain reports of poorly designed"experiments/' twisted accounts of actualevents, statements by respected scientiststaken out of context to change theirmeaning, m i s i n t e ~ statistics andothet forms of faulty reasonin1. Gi\lenettough publicity. however. these itemshave convinced many commUititles thatfluoridation is too risky.ln January 1972,NHP'irartiCd $16,CXX) fora tluorlda,tign .study to die Center forScience hi the ' l b l l ~ ~ r e s t (CS:Pt). agroup led by tonne.. &SsOCtatei or RalphNader. to help ratseJbis mooey, a specialmailing to NHF members announced that

    a clinically controlled test was beingconducted by "FRIENDS of indisputabl scientific reputation.,. The mailing alsoctaimed truu tfle information would armNffF with "unawailabfe, up-to-date,scientific data to help defea t fluoridatioWhen CSPI learned about rhis messageprotested, stating lflat die study would bscientific re\tiew o( availableknowledgand drar is outcome was certainly not ftagainst fluoridation. NHF apologized,claiming thal the fondraiser had beenmaited "without being cie.ed by appropriate offJcialt' ... *saiousmtt t abcM the nature of he study. Nmembers were never told of dJeSe errorhowever. Nor were they informed whenthe study concluded that "the knownbenefitt of fluoridation far outweigh anrisks whicb may be involved."In 1974, NHF announced that opposingfluoridation would be its number twopriority and that a biochemist named JoYiamouyiannis had been hired IQ '1>reathe back"' of ffooridation. Yiamouyiannsoon began issuing reports based onmisinterpreted government statistics,claiming that fluoridation causes canceHe was joined in this effort by Dean Bua retired National Cancer Instituteemployee who is also a leading promotof laetrile. In 1978, after ConsumerRtpotts criticized their work severely,Yiamouyiannis filed suit for libel. Thewas dismissed a few months later by afederal court judge. A t h t t e ~ j u d g e pMethe U.S. Court of Appeals subsequentlyupheld the dismissal, commenting thatConsumer Reports article ..exemplifiesvery highest order of responsible journaism." A further appeal to the U.S. Supreme C:ourt was also unsuccessful.In 1980, ~ W t N H F M J ! .founded another group whose structureand activities were similar. Although Nremains opposed to fluotidation, it haslittle political involvement Yiamouyiannis depatttd.

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    13/16

    -rHEALTH ALTERNATIVESLEGAL FOUNDATION (HALF)The Health Alternatives Legal Foundation,105 N. Foster St, Dothan, AL 36303, isdescribed in its literature as a "nonprofitpublic interest law center." It was fonnedin 1986 to defend "alternative" health carepractitioners and to initiate antitiustlitigation challenging medical practicelaws.HALF's newsletter, Alternatives, describes the group's philosophy and reportsnews (mostly legal troubles) involvingpromoters of unproven methods. According to the newsletter, "Powerful elementsof organizedallopathic medicine, led bythe American Medical Association, havebeen waging an expensive, well-orchestrated political and economic campaigndesigned to stifle competition fromalternative health care providers. Thiscampaign has been advanced by advocatesof the medical establishment who, forfinancial or philosophical reasons,seek .. o eliminate the ability of alternative health care providers to practice in theAmerican marketplace. Maverick doctors,chiropractors, osteopaths, homeopaths,acupuncturists, naturopaths, podiatrists,nutritionists, midwives and eclecticphysicians have felt the full brunt of thisorganized attack."HALF's brochure states that "alternativehealth care practitioners deserve properrecognition by state legislators, regulationby review boards of their own peers, andreimbursement for services from healthinsurance companies. Our attorneysdefend individual health practitionersagainst charges of operating outside thescope of standard medical practice."HALF's executive director is attorneyMichael S. Evers, of Dothan, Alabama,whose father, H. Ray Evers, M.D., isdiscussed previously in this report. Eversalso operates Project Cure, which collectsfunds and distributes publications andform letters. According to Evers, ProjectCure has more than 160,000 contributorson its mailing list. So far it has campaigned for "alternative" cancer methodsand against food irradiation and nutritionist licensing.The chainnan of HALF' s board of

    -irectors is attorney William H. Moore ofSavannah, Georgia. In 1984 Mooreattempted to intervene in GlenRutherford's laetrile case with an actiondesigned to stop virtually all interferencewith "unorthodox" methods, but hewithdrew when Rutherford and NHFobjected. HALF's 9-person board alsoincludes Evers, Floyd Weston, CatherineFrompovitch (CANAH's president), andAudrey Goldman, executive director ofthe Association for CardiovascularTherapies (ACT), a group that promoteschelation therapy._,-AMERICAN QUAc;KASSOCIATION (AQA)The American Quack Association, P.O.Box 550, Oviedo, FL 33765, has about300 members, most of whom are healthprofessionals. Founded in 1985, its mainpurposes appear to be providing emotionalsupport to its members, poking fun at theircritics, and stimulating positive publicfeelings toward unorthodox practitioners.Noting that "Discrimination, legalinvestigation, persecution, prosecution,and even imprisonment have variouslybeen the fate of those few physicians andothers who have publicly counseledalternative means of health care," AQA's"Articles of Health Freedom" demand that''No law or regulations shall be madeprohibiting the right of people to freelyassemble for healing of>8Jly type." Theyalso oppose "any penalty whatsoeveragainst anyone employing any form oftreatment for cancer or any other diseasefor him or herself or others, except incases of fraud, deception or the use offorce."AQA's vice president is Roy Kupsinel,M.D., a "holistic" practitioner in Ovieda,Florida. Kupsinel edits and publishesHealth Consciousness, a bimonthlymagazine which contains articles oncosmic philosophy, conservative causes,and the "persecution" of unorthodoxpractitioners. It also contains ads forunproven products and services. Its lastfew pages are printed upside down as theJournal of he American Quack Associa-tion, edited by AQA president Jonathan V.Wright, M.D., of Kent, Washington.AQA's logo depicts a stressed but smiling

    duck flying through the "Q" of AQA.Dues are $6.00 a year. According toKupsinel:

    Quack usually has a negative connotation. My idea is to take somethinthat is negative and turn it into apositive, combining it with a sensehumor. We usually do get a laugh of t. It stands for QUAiity (QUA)Care (C) with Kindness (K). So youhave the name "Quack" in QualityCare With Kindness, and that's whawe physician members of he AQArender. But we also have lay mem-bers too."

    In a recent issue of Health ConsciousneKupsinel described how he was expellefrom 'hi's cpunty and state medical societies during the 1970s. Later he begantreating large numbers of patients forhypoglycemia [a condition that scientifipractitioners believe is rare]. He alsostated that he has suffered from many ofthe other conditions he claims to treat.-rCOALITION FORALTERNATIVES IN NUTRITIONAND HEALTHCARE (CANAH)The Coali tion for Alternatives in Nutritiand Healthcare, P.O. Box B-12, Richlandtown, PA 18955, is a nonprofitcorporation established in 1984 "toeducate the public in nutrition andalternative healthcare .. hrough lobbyinpublic awareness presentations, and timepresentations." CANAH's founder,president and "legislative advocate" isCatherine J. Frompovitch, Ph.D., whopractices "nutritional consultation" inRichlandtown. Her "Ph.D." is fromColumbia Pacific University, an unaccredited correspondence school. Beforeshe acquired it, her publications describeher has "a practicing natural nutritionistwho has a Doctor of Science in Diet andNutrition [and] a.QpctorofNaturopathyMs. FrompovitCh-als6 operates CJ.Frompovitch Publications, and editsCANAH's Health Rights Advocate, acomprehensive quarterly report onpolitical developments. Advertisementsare now being solicited for this publication.Two years ago CANAH reportedly had400 members, but no current figure has

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    14/16

    been publicly released. No officer ocherthan Ms. Frompovitch has been identifiedin the group's publications, but the 28-person advisory board listed on itsletterhead includes Jeffrey Bland, BruceHalstead, Roy Kupsinel, Robert Mendelsohn, William Moore, Michael Schachter,and: Daniel Clark, MD., a Florida physicianwhose license was revoked in 1985 forunprofessional practice. Subsequently, hewas convicted of practicing medicinewithout a license and sentenced to ISyears' probation. The convictioo has beenupheldby a Florida DistrictCourtofAppeals, but tho sentence bas beensuspended while furdaer appeals arelitigated. Richard Crews, MD., President ofColumbia Pacific University. Earl Mindell, R.Pb., PhD., autha' ofEarl Mindelf s Vitamin Bibk and nwnerous other publications prolDOting questionable uses of food supplements. His"Ph.D." is &om the University of BeverlyHills, an unaccredited achool. He helpedfound the GreatEarth chain of health foodstores, which is now the nation's secondlargest Richard Passwate.r, Ph.D., audlorofnumerous publications promoting questionable uses of food supplements. His"Ph.D." is &om Bemadean University, anunaccredited diploma mill h a t ~ hadgovernment authori7.ation to issue degrees. Carl Pfeiffer, M.D., PhD.,directmof thePrinceton Brain Bio Center, Skillman.New Jersey, which offers "nutritional"treatment fm "the schizophrenias andbiochemical deficiencies associated withaging, alcoholism, allergies, arthritis.autism, epilepsy, hypertension, hypoglycemia, migraine, dqllession. leamingdisability, retardation, mental and meaa-bolic disordtts, skin problems, andhyperactivity."Barbara Reed, PhD., a former pmbBtionofficer who is now deVOlled to prom.odngher theory that criminal behavior can beattributed to poor dietand conected bydietary reform. ~ " P h . D . " is fromDonsbacb University. Lendon Smith, M.D., a prominent author

    -nd pediatrician who was placed onp-obation by his $late boatd ofme.dicalexaminers from 1973 to 1981 for ''inappopriate presatl>ing of drugs" to heroinaddicts. In 1987 he swrencbecf hismedical license radler lban face chargeJthat be bad signed documents audoizinginsurance payments for patients he had no tseen.CANAH's activilics have includedsupport for an unproven cancer treatment(immunoaugmen&ative therapX) andopposition to food irradialion, waterfluoridation. licensing of nutritionists, andother antiquacte.ry legislatjon. Regularmembership costs S1D )Ja''year. Newsarticles and invitations to join haveappeared in many hea1lh food industrypublicalions. CANAH wants individualsdenied access tom nst.nnee coverage for"altemative bealtbcare" to file antitrustsuits and odaer legal actions to "protecttheir rights."CANAH's main goat' s enacunent of a"Healthcare Rights Amendment" thatwould forbid Congress from restricting"any individual's right to choose and top:actice the type of healthcare they shallelect fm themselves or their children fmthe prevention or treilmem of any disease,injury. illness m ailmont of thebody or themind." A flyer promoting the amendmentstates:

    Vested interest groups, certainindividuals and tratk associadons,tlte AmeriaM Medical Association inparticular, have launched kgal proceduru against mt!dical doctors whoemploy in their practice such modalities as natll1'al lllltrition, chelalionIMrapy, vilamilllmineral supplementation andother JNMll8 commonlyreferred to as alwltllliw! 1-ltltcaremodalidawhich may no t be illagrmtllt witla ortllodox mediciM.PracdtiotwOlldpadot aJiM havebea bt'ougJu llP bl/ore the bars ofjustice andpeer MliewWitA lweto-fore IUlblown medical ilu/llisilion-liketecluWplt!I. WE THE PEOPLEbelieve tlU is llllCOn.rtillllit>nal, """we therefore propose tltis amendment.

    CANAH's logo depicts a hummingbird

    because is has "the freedom of choice acan go from flower to flower to salisfy ineeds." The group's brochure quotes thfamed philosopher/ethicist JobltStuartMill (1806-1873) as though he wouldsupport its abns: '"rbe only freedomwhich deserves the name, is that ofpursuing our own good in ourown waylong as we do not auempt o ~ ..others of theirs, or impede their effilfs tobtain iL Each is the poper guardian ohis own health, whether bodily, or mentor spiritual. Mankind arep a t gainerssuffering eadl other t; ! Y e ~ .seems goto b e m s e l ~ d l l l i ) Y ~ e a c hlive as seems good to the rest." llowevMill m:ogni7.ed that wbac 'tbele is adefinite damage, or definite risk ofdamage, either to an individual or to thepubliG.the case is taken out of the

    p r o v i n c e ~ liberty andplaced in thatof morality or law."Under current laws, federal and stategovernments can se t licensing standardfor health practitioaen. instilute publichealth . . . . . . nd oudaw ~ t h aare dangerous or ineffective. In the Ruted

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    15/16

    -r0vERVIEWDuring the past century scientists havedeveloped rules for determining whatmethods are effective in preventing andtreating disease. At the same time, Jawshave been developed to protect the publicfrom methods that are ineffective, un-proven, or promoted with misinformation.NHF, HALF, AQA and CANAH areantagonistic to accepted scientific methodsas well as current consumer protectionlaws. Instead of supporting the rules ofscience and Jaw, they want to destroythem. They want the right to marketmethods without the responsibility ofensuring that they are effective. In myopinion, the "freedom" they espousewould be nothing more than a huntinglicense for quacks.Despite their shortcomings, these groupscomprise a significant political force.They are well organized and are workinghard. They have friends in Congress andcan generate large letter-writing cam-paigns which create the illusion that theyrepresent a large constituency. They havewon some significant court and legislativebattles. They intend to win more.APPENDIX I: GLOSSARY OFQUESTIONABLE METHODSAcupuncture: A system of treatmentwhich purports to baJance the body's "lifeforce" by inserting needles into or beneaththe skin at one more points where imaginary horiwntal and vertical lines meet onthe surface of the body. These points aresaid to represent various internal organs.Although acupuncture can sometimesrelieve pain, there is no evidence that itcan influence the course of any organicdisease.Autointoxication: The theory (stillpromoted by Victor Earl Irons) that, as aresult of intestinal stasis, intestinalcontents putrefy, toxins are fanned andabsorbed, which causes chronic poisoningof the body. This the.ory was populararound the turn of he century but wasabandoned by the scientific commmrityduring the 1930s. No such "toxins" haveever been found, and careful observati

  • 7/30/2019 The Unhealthy Alliance: Crusaders for "health freedom"

    16/16

    ,. ,....,._.scientific beliefs; 2) tLhas not beendemonstrated effective by well designedstudies; 3) its use involves fraud Ordeception; or 4) it is being marketed.illegally;. Dietary supplements cla imed tobe 'effective against disease (exceptdeficiency disease) may not be marketedin interstate commerce unless they are dgenerally recognized by experts as safeand effettive for their intended use.Intended use can be determined by

    - 1987, in response lO a court order, theFDA ordered that millc and milk producin final p a c ~ form,jor huml\Jl consumtion iri interstate ci:>mmerce b e ~ s t e u r i zThe sale of raw millc has been ba11ned i27 states, but is still permitte4 within threst, including Califormia, where thelargest supplier is located.

    statements in labeling, advertising, orother communication to prospectivebuyers.Raw milk: Mille in its natural siate.'''Public health authorities advocate pasteurization to destroy any diseaseproducihg bacteria may be present In

    APPENDIX I I : ANTI-QUACKERY GROUPS Th e National Council Against Health Fraud,Jnc., P.O.B'dx)276, I.Oma Linda, CA 92354, has more than 2,500members and has chapters in 13 states. Organized in 1977 asthe Southern California Council Against Health Fraud, thegroup beCame national in 1984. Its purposes are to: 1)conduct studies and investigations to evaluate claims made forhealth products and services; 2) educate the public, professionals, legislators, business people, organizations andagencies about untruths and deceptions; 3) provide a centerfor communication between individuals and organizationsconcerned abou t health misinformation, fraud and quackery;4) support sound consumer heallh laws and oppose legislationwhich undermines consumer rights; and 5) encourage legalactions against law violators.

    . The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, Box 229, Buffalo, NY 14215, was ,founded in 1976 to encourage critical investigation of para-normal and fringe-science claims. It is composed of promi- nent scientists, educators and journalists and is assisted bymore than 50 scientists,educators and journalists and isassisted by more than 50 scientific and technical consultants.

    ItI

    :Its chairman is Paul Kurtz, Ph.D., professor of philosophy atSta,te University of New York at Buffalo. h publishes aqdarterly scientific journal, Tiie Skeptical Inquirer, andmaintains subcommittees on astrblogy, -education, paranormalhealth claims, parapsychology, and UFOs. Groups similar toCSICOP exist in 27 areas of the United States and in 16foreign countries.The American Council on Science and e a l t ~ . 1995Broadway, 18th floor, New York, NY, 10023, was founded in1978 to provide scientifically balanced evaluations of issues'involving food, chemicals, the environment, lifestyle, andhealth. Its executive director is Elizabeth M. Whelan, Sc.D.,M.P.HACSH has more than 200 prominent scientific and policyadvisors. It produces peer-reviewed reports, the syndicatedradio program Health Digest, and will soon begin publishing aquarterly magazine bearing the same name. It also hostsseminars and press conferences and serves as a clearinghousefor the news media as well as the public. Memberstlip is $40for individuals and $1,000 for institutions.