Another FTC Submission

here, I cite from part of a complaint I've recently filed with the Federal Trade Commission [FTC] regarding misrepresentations of naturopathy within their USPS-mailed admissions material:

001. after receiving an admissions packet from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences last month, I submitted this to the FTC:

"I'd like to bring your attention to a categorical misrepresentation that I've discovered as a consumer who is knowledgeable about what is & isn’t categorically science.

Recently, I requested & received admissions materials from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences, a doctoral program that costs approximately $164,000 to complete, according to their figures.

The USPS-mailed paper-based admissions packet states:

'[SCNM is] a school of medicine and health sciences grounded in naturopathic principles […] the principles of naturopathic medicine are based upon the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually re-examined in light of scientific advances [...including] vis medicatrix naturae [VMN, that’s Latin for their quite science-ejected idea of vitalism...] the curriculum at SCNM, as in most medical programs, includes a strong foundation in biomedical sciences […] a licensed naturopathic doctor attends a four-year professional level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an MD.'

I’ve been studying naturopathy for 15 years, and I consider these labels of science upon the naturopathic nonscientific to be, as they obviously must be if we are not to evaporate into absurdity, FALSE.

I’m concerned that education consumers are being exploited.  Citizens engage with schools like SCNM in good faith & such education consumers will be miseducated along the lines of what naturopathy falsely and irrationally claims:  that science supports what is truly science-ejected, that what is science-based is the same thing as what is science-exterior.  I’m also concerned that graduates will, by way of the example of their own alma mater, then feel that it is ethically and commercially acceptable to engage with the public using such false science labels.

Also, being quite familiar with the naturopathy scene, I know that SCNM has been making this false “science” claim [along with their mother organization and fellow schools] for quite some time (see http://web.archive.org/web/19990221212454/http://www.teleport.com/~aanp/alliance/main.html ).

Disclosure:

I’m bothered by this situation because I’ve personally gone through a similar situation – 4 years in attendance from 1998-2002 at a different naturopathy doctoral program in Connecticut -- that categorically labels itself science (see http://www.bridgeport.edu/admissions/healthSciences/ ) yet is essentially based upon the truly science-exterior (see http://web.archive.org/web/20040405090645/http://www.bridgeport.edu/ub/nm/Six_Prihtm.htm )."

Note: but, this is nothing special.  I've done it before, and I'll do it again.

I Get Snailmail - SCNM's 2011 Viewbook Packet [Absurdity Marches On By USPS!]

here, I cite from paper-based Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine admissions material I recently received by United States Postal Service [see 001., below]; then, I muse on the false science-labeling and how to Federally complain about all this nonsense [see 002., below]:

001. in the packet I received, SCNM states that naturopathy is:

001.a. science, science, science [what's new]:

"Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences is a school of medicine and health sciences grounded in naturopathic principles [...] the principles of naturopathic medicine are based upon objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually re-examined in the light of scientific advances [...] the curriculum at SCNM, as in most medical programs, includes a strong foundation in biomedical sciences [...] SCNM, with institutional partners, is advancing the frontiers of medicine by turning scientific insights into treatments [...] the science of healing."

Note: so, there's the overarching claim of "science" basis / foundation and simultaneous "principles" basis / foundation.  "Sciences grounded in naturopathic principles" means, when you know the principles and where they sit in relation to science, "sciences grounded in the science-exterior".  Really.  If the principles were true, they'd actually be science and 'objectively observed'.  But, when you look at the primary principles -- vitalism and supernaturalism -- "in light of scientific advances", you see that the statement "sciences grounded in naturopathic principles" is absurd / irrational.  The details of the principles are in 001.b., below. 

001.b. couched within specific "naturopathic principles":

"what are the naturopathic principles? The six principles that guide the therapeutic methods and modalities of naturopathic medicine [...#2] the healing power of nature - vis medicatrix naturae [HPN-VMN...] vision: a world that embraces the healing power of nature."

Note: and that's all your are told about HPN-VMN.  The inherent supernaturalism within their principles isn't mentioned either.  SCNM does it here, though. So, in sum, SCNM has stated that naturopathy and its principles survive scientific scrutiny, and one of those principles is HPN-VMN.

002. absurdities galore:

being quite familiar with the coded / opaque / brief language naturopathy often uses as place-filler for their actual beliefs, I'm quite sure that naturopathy's principles / beliefs are not science-surviveable because, in fact, they are science-ejected.

HPN-VMN is the science-ejected idea known as vitalism.  You can find it stated transparently at SCNM, just not within this admissions packet.  I'll often summarize it as a belief in a 'purposeful life spirit' responsible for physiology and health / disease.

Also, SCNM claims in this packet that homeopathy is "deeply therapeutic."  We know, scientifically speaking, that homeopath is quite bunk.

So, where is nonscience falsely labeled science GALORE: naturopathy.

Note: I received these misrepresentations through the United States Postal Service, who I'm going to contact [again].

First, I've go to get my head around the specifics of mail fraud.

The USPS has a mail fraud complaint web page.  The Federal Trade Commission also has a complaint web-page.

SCNM's ND Messer - Emphasis: Homeopathy and Cancer

here, I cite from a SCNM web page regarding treating cancer with magic beans / unicorn tears aka homeopathy [see 001., below]:

001. SCNM writes in "Physician Bios" [saved 2011-02-20]:

"Stephen Messer, N.D., D.H.A.N.P Emphasis: homeopathy for acute disease, serious chronic disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis [...] Dr. Messer has been in continuous practice since graduating from National College of Natural Medicine in 1979, and is considered one of the premier homeopathic physicians, educators, and authors in the country [...] Dr. Messer completed homeopathic emphasis training with the International Foundation for Homeopathy, as well as the Eizayaga Homeopathic Seminar series. Dr. Messer was among the first naturopathic physicians in the United States to become board certified as a homeopathic specialist. He is a founder and past president of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians. He has been a board member of the National Center for Homeopathy from 1987-2008, and the Dean of the prestigious NCH summer school homeopathic training program [...] Dr. Messer is a Professor, and the Chair of Homeopathic Medicine at SCNM."

Note: wow.  Here's his bio.

ND Mittman - SCNM & AANMC's Big Kahuna Homeopath, and Remarkable Claims of Homeopathy's Efficacy

here, I cite from a recent NDNR article [see 001., below]; then from remarkable claims regarding homeopathic sugar pills [see 002., below]; and finally, how naturopathy is wedded to science-ejected ideas and absurd therapies [see 003., below]:

001. the article "Message From the President" (2011-02) in NDNR states:

"Paul Mittman, ND, EdD, DHANP currently serves as president of both Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences [SCNM] and the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges [AANMC...] Dr. Mittman graduated from National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1985 [...] he was in private practice until joining the faculty of Southwest College as a professor of homeopathy in 1997 [...] Dr. Mittman is a recognized authority on naturopathic medicine [...who] integrates the foundations of naturopathic medicine with homeopathy and botanical medicine [...] he is a respected lecturer in the field of homeopathy [...and] former editor of Simillimum [naturopathy's homeopathy journal] and the New England Journal of Homeopathy."

Note: so, he's a big kahuna / authority when it comes to homeopathy.

002. SCNM and AANMC:

002.a. SCNM states in "Homeopathy" [saved 2011-02-20]:

"homeopathy is a remarkable [...] therapy that stimulates our natural ability to heal [coded vitalism...it] provoke[s] a healing reaction in the person [...] it is the healing reaction [coded vitalism] provoked by the homeopathic medicine that cures, not the medicine itself [...] it can gently and permanently cure diseases and restore health [...e.g.] coughs and earaches [...] autoimmune disease and cancer [...] a gentle yet effective way to cure illness [...] homeopathy alters our susceptibility to disease [...] the majority of known acute and chronic diseases can be treated successfully with homeopathy, including nearly all of the most common reasons why people seek medical treatment [...] homeopathy is really quite extraordinary [...] and amazingly effective for people of all ages."

Note: yes, they're claiming homeopathy's magic beans / unicorn tears are THAT effective -- that it cures cancer.  This is truly SICKENING.

002.b. AANMC states in "Become a Naturopathic Doctor" [saved 2011-02-20]:

"effective traditional therapies form the foundation of naturopathic treatment, while drawing on the tools of modern science [...] naturopathic doctors made [sp, 'may'] use [...] homeopathic medicines [...] homeopathy [...] in their supervised, hands-on experiences with patients, students learn to scientifically apply [...] homeopathic medicine [...] member institutions of the AANMC [...include] Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences [...] National University of Health Sciences."

Note: science, science, science.  How does one scientifically apply what science has demolished?

And in that document, AANMC also speaks of: "a healthy respect for the healing power of nature [...] a deep faith in the power of the body to heal itself" but, we're not clearly informed about this central naturopathic context.

But, ND Mittman has explained this science-ejected vitalistic context essential to naturopathy in quite a lot of detail (here, here).  He is, after all, an authority.

003. some deep revelations from ND Mittman in "Editorials: Naturopathic Medicine, Vitalism, and Homeopathy" (1997; Townsend Letter For Doctors and Patients, #165, p.122-3)[which I own]:

"[Mittman writes about] how we define the core and essence of naturopathy to ourselves [...] Hahnemann's homeopathy linked the disturbed vital force to the diseased body, and D.D. Palmer's chiropractic saw the spine as a conduit for the 'innate wisdom' [both are vitalistic...] alternative medical practices stepped in and linked the healing power of nature with the human spirit [supernaturalism...] what forms the heart of our healing art [...we have] more than a belief in the healing power of nature [...we] directly stimulate the vis medicatrix naturae [...per] working directly with chi, prana or the vital force [...] science and medicine have spent the last 500 years divorced from religion and spirituality. As naturopaths, we must openly acknowledge and unabashedly embrace our partnership with a higher power. The only way to accomplish this is to establish energetic [euphemism for vitalistic and spiritistic] therapies like homeopathy, Chinese and ayurvedic medicine and hydrotherapy at the center of our definition of naturopathy [...per] energy medicines, the practice of homeopathy [...] there is no philosophical conflict between homeopathy and naturopathic medicine. In fact, homeopathy is probably the clearest example of the healing power of nature [...] the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians gave us a clear definition of naturopathic medicine [...] patients get well because their healing begins at the deepest level of being - at the point where the body and its animating spirit meet [...per] the highest ideal of cure [...] Paul Mittman, ND, DHANP,  from The Best of Naturopathic Medicine Anthology 1996,  Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine Press.  Dr. Mittman graduated from National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1985, after which he served as staff physician at the Portland Natural Clinic until 1990, when he began his private practice in Connecticut. Dr. Mittman has served on the editorial board of the New England Journal of Homeopathy and frequently lectures both  nationally and internationally on homeopathy. He serves as a board member on the Connecticut Society of  Naturopathic Physicians as well as the Homeopathic Community Council [p.123]."

Note: again, big kahuna homeopath ND.  Working directly with a figmentation.  Must be hard to measure, therein.  I'm sure therein, it's okay to cut a lot of corners and just settle on deciding 'yep, another case cured.'

Orac recently blogged at Respectful Insolence in a post titled "You Can't Have Naturopathy Without Homeopathy" (2011-01-28), which reminded me of this 1997 article.

SCNM's "Public Health Commitment" - East Valley Tribune 2010-10

here, I cite from an East Valley Tribune article concerning Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Science's new clinic facility [see 001., below]; then, I muse on SCNM's claimed "public health commitment" [see 002., below]:

001. Channing Turner [me thinks; a person with no science or medical background, apparently] reports [quite credulously and supportively, IMHO] in the East Valley Tribune article "Naturopathic Medical School Opens Tempe Facility" [vsc 2010-10-23]:

"the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences officially opened a new medical center in Tempe recently [...] Paul Mittman, president and CEO of SCNM [... ] 'the school has a significant public health commitment,' he said. 'We expect (the center) to have a greater impact on public health' [...] naturopathic physicians can prescribe nearly every treatment available to a medical doctor, including prescription drugs, Mittman added. But the naturopathic method emphasizes prevention and supports the body’s ability to heal itself [(coded vitalism)...] 'you need to take a holistic approach.'"

Note: there is a claim here of a 'commitment to public health' via the 'holistic' 'body's ability to heal itself.'  Let's bear that out, and decode [which is quite relevant].

002. naturopathy's epistemic muddling [blending of knowledge type; a threat to public health, if public health is to be based upon the best kind of knowledge regarding reality, and the public's understanding of science has value]:

002a. naturopathy's coded vitalism [such deceit is a nonprofessional attribute minimally; an issue of false commerce overall]:

well, "the body’s ability to heal itself" is, when we get down to brass tacks with naturopathy, a belief that has been science-ejected: that physiology is run by a purposeful life spirit.  They code this, all the time.  You can find a glimpse of SCNM's vitalism in uncoded full-regalia at this collection I've put together.  ND Mittman stated this belief explicitly as belief, and here it is archived [vsc 2010-10-23].

002.b. falsely claimed as science:

SCNM's overarching [false] label of science placed upon all this science-ejected beliefy stuff I've collected here.

Note: ah, so THAT is the holistic -- code your essential premises, falsely label them, engage in commerce, rinse and repeat.

Explaining Without Explaining: Naturopathy's CODED Central Premise Via Lane, K. (NMD SCNM):

here, I show a typical ND / NMD ruse -- via Kiera Lane NMD -- presenting in naturalistic language [see 001., below] an actually sectarian science-ejected premise [see 002., below]:

001. Kiera Lane, an NMD graduate of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine [SCNM] states in "Philosophy":

"what are the [essential] principles of naturopathic medicine? 1. Healing power of nature [HPN]: naturopathic physicians utilize the healing power of nature to facilitate the body’s own healing process. Their role is to facilitate and augment this process by identifying and removing obstacles to health and wellness."

Note: and that's all you are told. Can you make an informed decision based on this? No, and I'll tell you why not [you have to know what they are coding in order to understand that they are masking their sectarian science-ejected central premise].

002. the actual context of HPN, via that "Dr.'s" alma mater, SCNM:

002.a. SCNM states in "Is Alternative Medicine For You?":

"the healing power of nature [...] first described in western medicine by Hippocrates, the vis medicatrix naturae, is also referred to as chi in Chinese medicine, prana in ayurveda, and vital force in homeopathy. When alive, the vis medicatrix naturae enables humans and other living beings to resist entropy and decay, unlike inanimate objects that are subject to these effects. Creating treatment plans that harness the healing power of nature [...] the essence of naturopathic medicine."

Note: this is vitalism, essentially.

002.b. and, vitalism is hugely science-ejected.

003. would you know that from the "Dr.'s" web page? No. And, being that the "Dr." describes herself as a "medical director", isn't medicine ETHICALLY obligated to the INTEGRITY of its scientific knowledge and not misleading its patients?

Note: fascinating. I got thousands more ND sites like this.

NDs Coward & Lewis Absurdly Defend Homeopathy as "Medicinal Science" - Citizen-Times, 2009-06-25:

here, I detail the absurd claim of two Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine [SCNM] ND graduates that homeopathy is a "medicinal science" [see 001., below]; while, overall, homeopathy is "utter rubbish" and "a classic pseudoscience" [see 002., below]:

001. Coward, S. (ND SCNM) and Lewis, K. (ND SCNM) state in the Citizen-Times article "Misconceptions Aside, Homeopathy Has Stood Test of Time" {2009-06-25}:

"homeopathy is a 200-year-old medicinal science [...unlike] Zicam [...which is] an impostor [...because] typical homeopathic remedies are much, much more dilute, often so dilute there are no molecules of the original substance left [{yikes !!!}...yet] the assertion that homeopathy is not supported by quality research is false [{oh really}...] studies of true homeopathy [...] show both safety and effectiveness [{oh really}...overall,] homeopathy has stood the test of time."

Note 01: AANP NDs take a national board exam that labels homeopathy "clinical science". SCNM -- the alma mater of these NDs -- labels naturopathy overall, including its requisite homeopathy , science in its web article "The Naturopathic Physician":

"naturopathic doctors['] practice is based on the same basic biomedical science foundation that allopathic [!!!] practice is [...we use] natural modalities such as [...] homeopathy [...] a licensed naturopathic physician (N.D.) attends a four-year professional level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an M.D. [...and they take] rigorous professional board exams [...] the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine requires four years of professional level study in the medical sciences."

Note 02: by the way, the President of CEO of SCNM, who is simultaneously the President of the AANMC -- Mittman, P. (ND NCNM 1985, DHANP AANP), 2007 AANP Physician of the Year -- is a homeopath.

Note 03.a.: Coward also tells us at his practice's web page, per "Homeopathy":

"homeopathy is a scientific method of treatment."

Note 03.b.1..: Lewis tells us at her practice's homepage shared with ND E. Lewis:

"we are experts in both the science of medicine."

Note 03.b.2. and Lewis tells us in "What is Classical Homeopathy?":

"homeopathy is a science."

002. homeopathy, is -- of course, as these NDs has stated above -- 'nothing but water'. E.g., Novella, S. (MD GUSM) recently wrote in "Homeopathy Awareness Week":

"I would like people to be aware of the fact that homeopathy is a pre-scientific philosophy that it is based entirely on magical thinking and is out of step with the last 200 years of science [!!!]. People should know that typical homeopathic remedies are diluted to the point that no active ingredient remains, and that homeopaths invoke mysterious vibrations or implausible and highly fanciful water chemistry. I would further like people to know that clinical research with homeopathic remedies, when taken as a whole, show no effect for any such remedy [...] I am all in favor of homeopathic awareness. The scientific community should use this week to make the public acutely aware of the fact that homeopathy is, put simply, utter rubbish. It is a classic pseudoscience and has no place in a 21st century science-based health care system."

Note: in other words, labeling homeopathy a "medicinal science" is absurd -- misconceptions aside!

003. warning, NDs are not the 'competent science-qualified physicians' that they claim to be.

Decoding Naturopathy's Essential Science-Ejected Vitalism -- ISBN 184593413X, 2009:

here, I quote from a 2009 book describing naturopathy in not very transparent terms [see 001., below]; and, I peel away that opacity to reveal 'the essentially naturopathic' [see 002., below]; and, as usual, I issue a warning [see 003., below]:

001. Preedy, V.R. (? ?) and Watson, R.R. (? ?) state in "Botanical Medicine in Clinical Practice" (ISBN 184593413X, 2009):

"naturopathic principles are based on vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature [VMN-HPN], where treatment is used to support the innate healing potential of the individual [IHPI, p.582]."

Note: and that's all you're given. This is what such specifically means to naturopaths:

002. when you look at the naturopathic primary sources regarding VMN-HPN-IHPI, you will find that it represents the science-ejected concept known as vitalism. For the sake of clarity, I will use:

002.a. SCNM's 2003 archived homepage page to represent naturopathy's essential vitalism:

"the healing power of nature [...] first described in western medicine by Hippocrates, the vis medicatrix naturae, is also referred to as chi in Chinese medicine, prana in ayurveda, and vital force in homeopathy. When alive, the vis medicatrix naturae enables humans and other living beings to resist entropy and decay, unlike inanimate objects that are subject to these effects. Creating treatment plans that harness the healing power of nature [...that is] the essence of naturopathic medicine".

002.b. Richard Dawkins's recent editorial comments on vitalism from "The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing" (ISBN 0199216800, 2008) to represent the scientific and particularly modern biological view regarding vitalism:

"what neither Mendel nor anyone else before 1953 knew was that genes themselves are digital, within themselves [...] life is the execution of programs written using a small digital alphabet in a single, universal machine language. This realization was the hammer blow that knocked the last nail in the coffin of vitalism and, by extension, of dualism. The hammer was wielded, with undisguised youthful relish, by James Watson and Francis Crick [p.030...] for me, the greatest achievement of Watson and Crick was to turn genetics from a branch of wet and squishy physiology into a branch of information technology, in the process slaying, as I suggested above, the ghost of vitalism [p.226]."

003. so, again, a warning regarding descriptions of naturopathy...

there is a sectarian ABSURD underneath that is rarely honestly, competently and accurately expressed.

Naturopathy's Essential Vitalism & Spiritism - In Their Own Words (2001; SCNM's Kim, Poorman, Mittman) per ISSN 1533-2101:

so, here we have -- published in a CAM journal, ISSN 1533-2101, currently edited by Susan A. Gaylord, PhD -- naturopathy's luminaries stating their vitalistic, spiritistic, teleological science-ejected obligation / premise that is 'the essentially naturopathic' {falsely labeled as scientific}:

01. in "Naturopathic Medical Education: Where Conventional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Meet" {here's the abstract; Complementary Health Practice Review, vol. 7, no. 2, 99-109 (2001)}, authors Kim (ND ?), Mittman (ND NCNM, DHANP AANP), and Poorman (PhD ?) -- all, at the time at least, of AANP-FNPLA-AANMC's Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences -- state:

01.a. naturopathy's essential vitalism:

"[naturopathy is] based on a philosophy which acknowledges and encourages patients to actively participate in their health care [...] using a holistic approach [...our] principles of naturopathic medicine [...are] emphasized through a naturopathic physician's training [...and are] the foundation of this distinct health care practice [p.101...#1] first do no harm [...] illness is a purposeful [teleological!] process [...] the process of healing includes the generation of symptoms that are, in fact, expressions of the life force [...] the physician's actions can support or antagonize the actions of [this] vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature [...] naturopathic physician's respect and and work with the vis medicatrix naturae in diagnosis, treatment, and counseling [...the] self-healing process [...#2] the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae) [...] the healing process is ordered and intelligent [teleological]; nature heals through the response of the life force [...] naturopathic medicine recognizes this healing process [...] the naturopathic physician's role is to facilitate and augment this process [p.102...] the philosophy and principles of naturopathic medicine, introduced in the first week of school, are embedded and interwoven throughout the entire fabric of the program [p.108]";

01.b. naturopathy's essential spiritism-supernaturalism:

"causes may occur on many levels including [...the] spiritual [p.102...] health and disease are conditions of the whole organism [...including the] spiritual [...] since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physician's encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development [...] the physician must also make a commitment to his/her personal and spiritual development [p.103]";

01.c. naturopathy's false overarching 'science claim':

"graduates take national board examinations in both basic and clinical sciences to become licensed as general practice naturopathic doctors [p.100...] naturopathic medicine is a [...] science [...] as primary care practitioners, naturopathic physicians [...] as in other medical schools, [have] a solid foundation [...in] conventional medical sciences [p.101...] the degree of doctor of naturopathic medicine requires four years of graduate level study in the medical sciences at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences [p.104]";

02. meanwhile, upon the preponderance: science does not support vitalism; science does not support supernaturalism; science does not support teleology.

what to take away from all this: they are science-illiterate, and deceptive. And, labeling something what it PROFOUNDLY isn't -- is absurd.