Response by Homeopath to Dr Holt's letter

Dr Shaun Holt has published a letter in your latest Journal issue, reproduced also in The Sunday Herald, in which he slanders and defames, once again, Homeopathy.I am very much aware that most of the Registered conventional MDs in NZ are regarding Homeopathy as nothing better than hogwash. Nevertheless I would like to draw your attention to this:Your [NZMA's] Code of Ethics, #43, states the following: 43. Doctors should accept that their professional reputation must be based upon their ability, technical skills and integrity. Doctors should advertise professional services or make professional announcements only in circumstances where the primary purpose of any notification is factual presentation of information reasonably needed by any person wishing to make an informed decision about the appropriateness and availability of services that may meet his or her medical needs. Any such announcement or advertisement must be demonstrably true in all respects and contain no testimonial material or endorsement of clinical skills. Qualifications not recognised by appropriate New Zealand statutory bodies should not be quoted. Dr Shaun Holt presents himself as a Professor at Victoria University, yet he does not appear anywhere on their staff listing in any faculty in any position: is that \"demonstrably true\". Dr Shaun Holt claims knowledge of homeopathy and other branches of natural medicine, but has no certificate, diploma or degree, by any school, college or university, whether officially recognised or not, to prove this. To my knowledge, neither homeopathy, nor herbalism or naturopathy are part of the studies' curriculum in any Faculty of Medicine or Pharmacy. Moreover, by his own admission (private email available on request), his \"knowledge\" is based on reading articles. How does that \"ability\" proves true and how is this useful to \"any person wishing to make an informed decision\"? How does that reflect on the integrity and professionalism of the whole conventional medical fraternity? I am not asking you to promote homeopathy and natural medicine: it is not your task or your purpose. But the patient's choice is primordial and should always be respected. The continuous misleading information propagated by Dr Holt and his acolytes with what appears to be your silent approbation is definitely not conductive to informed choice and proper education of the public and of professional health practitioners. Thank you for your attention. Dr Joseph Rozencwajg (NMD) \"The greatest enemy of any science is a closed mind\" www.naturamedica.webs.com