From this week's edition of The Millenium Project

http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles/

Am I not speaking clearly enough? (3/9/2005)

I received the following emails this week. In both cases it appears
that the writers have seriously misunderstood what this site is about
and what I say in it.

I replied:

I'm sorry, but my conscience will not allow me to assist anyone to be
exploited and deceived by Dr Haley. If your son has a problem then no
likely resolution can come from someone who makes a living out of
distorting the facts about the causes of autism.

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I replied:

My brother is an expert on the early detection of cervical cancer.
When Burzynski had the protocols for his "clinical trials" available
on his web site we examined the one related to cervical cancer. It was
rubbish, and at one stage even managed to confuse the cervix with an
ovary. Burzynski has been carrying out these "trials" for many years
and has yet to produce any results other than testimonials. This is
the case even though the trial process is corrupted in a blatant
attempt to produce positive results.

You say that you are a chemist, which implies that you have some
academic qualifications. Burzynski claims to have a PhD, but he didn't
have it when he migrated to the USA and there is no official record of
him receiving the degree since. If he lies about his academic record,
why should you believe him when he says that he can cure cancer in
exchange for your life savings. People with advanced cancer, like your
sister, are the bread and butter for charlatans like Burzynski. There
is nothing people like him like to see more than someone with little
hope and lots of money.

Comparing Sloan Kettering to Burzynski is quite simple. If Sloan have
never managed to produce any cures at all, then Burzynski is twice as
successful as Sloan. Twice nothing is still nothing. If, however,
Sloan can point to just one successful case they are well ahead of the
quack. As for the comments of the faith healer, what would you expect
someone like that to say? They can only continue to exist (and to make
money) if they put down the competition. There is no such thing as
"faith healing", and anybody who tells you that they can do it is a
liar.

Your sister has a serious, advanced illness and there is probably very
little that anyone can do for her other than to make her remaining
time on earth and with her family as comfortable and as pleasant as
possible. You will not help her by dragging her to Texas so that she
can suffer indignities while being robbed. I realise that desperation
can make any possibility seen attractive, but sometimes there just is
no answer.

My thoughts are with you and your sister. I know that in the same
situation I would be tempted to waste time and money on chasing a
hopeless dream, but I hope I could resist the temptation and provide
the love and support which is really the best care available.