FDA Homeopathy Reassessment: The AANP's Rothenberg Defends Homeopathy [of course]

here, I excerpt from the AANP's testimony regarding potential changes to FDA homeopathy oversight:

001. at fda.gov, we're told in "Testimony by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians By Amy Rothenberg, ND, DHANP April 20, 2015" [saved 2015-04-22; my comments are in unquoted bold]:

"my name is Amy Rothenberg and I am a board member of the American Association on Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), and president of the Massachusetts Society of Naturopathic doctors (MSND) [...] I am board certified by the [AANP's] Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians [...] I co-founded the New England School of Homeopathy, the largest and oldest continuous postgraduate study of homeopathy in the United States [...] ";

so, there is AANP, full guns blazing.  Isn't it strange for a group who claim that their contents survive rigorous scientific scrutiny to be defending the garbage that is homeopathy?

"AANP is a national professional association representing 4,500 licensed naturopathic physicians in the United States [...]";

ah, the 'of the professions' claim.  But science when is falsehood a basis for professionalism?

"our members are physicians trained as experts in natural medicine. They are trained to find the underlying cause of a patient’s condition rather than focusing solely on symptomatic treatment [...]";

and there's the naturalness fallacy and a 'dog whistle' dig at conventional medicine.

"naturopathic medical schools [...] coursework includes the basic science [...] programs provide extensive education unique to the naturopathic approach, emphasizing disease prevention and whole person wellness, including homeopathy [...] naturopathic physicians are taught homeopathy in naturopathic medical schools, and use it widely in practice [...]";

ah, science and homeopathy.  Such a contradiction.

"ND must also pass an extensive postdoctoral exam [...] naturopathic physicians have practiced and taught homeopathy since naturopathic medicine was defined as a profession. We are primary care providers fully trained in homeopathic prescribing, integrating homeopathy within our medical school education, our board examinations and clinical practice [...]";

that exam is the NPLEX, which falsely labels homeopathy a "clinical science."  Such a deception, such a falsehood.  How professional.

"naturopathic physicians provide treatments that are effective and safe [...]";

so therein homeopathy has efficacy, in naturopathyland.  Not by way of science, but by way of writing it into a document.

"AANP would like to respond to two particular questions posed by FDA. Question 1: what are consumer and health care provider attitudes towards human drug and biological products labeled as homeopathic? [...] the experience of naturopathic physicians who use homeopathic products is consistent with other licensed physicians’ reports of homeopathic use [...] homeopathy is perceived favorably by physicians and patients, both for efficacy but especially for its safety profile [...] positive reliable effects [...]";

again that WRONG efficacy claim.

"we are not seeking a change in current policy [...] AANP believes that FDA’s current regulatory approach to homeopathic products is working well [...]";

of course not.  I'd like to see INTEGRITY, HONESTY, and EPISTEMIC COMPETENCE imposed upon the whole area of homeopathy hucksterism.   Well, what's also interesting is that naturopathy here hasn't stated HOW MUCH FUNDING they get from homeopathy companies.  Because in naturopathyland, you don't have to be honest.

From AANP's homepage:

"Seroyal [...a] partner."