This article written by me originally posted on Sydney Indymedia.

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The New South Wales Coroner has made a paradoxical move. It has found evidence to prosecute parents that treated their child (which subsequently died) with a homeopathic remedy in place of doctor prescribed medicine, but at the same time is recommending that the NSW Department of Health introduce a mandatory register for people wishing to practise homeopathy.

This is a paradoxical because creating a register for homeopaths is a form of legitimisation. Medical Doctors have a register. If homeopaths get official regulation, this says to the public that the state condones the actions of homeopaths and that homeopathy is a legitimate practise.

No. If the Coroner wishes to protect the public from the bogus remedies of homeopathy, they should be recommending that homeopathy be made illegal. There should be a tough penalty for people engaging in the fraudulent activity known as homeopathy.

I provide a copy of the news report here, sourced from the Sydney Morning Herald.


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Baby death: call for homeopath rules

November 19, 2007 - 5:33PM

The NSW Coroner has found there is sufficient evidence for the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider laying charges against the parents of a baby who died after they treated her with homeopathic remedies.

Gloria Thomas died in May 2002 in Sydney Children's Hospital of sepsis, or bacterial infections.

The nine-month-old, who was severely malnourished, had been suffering from such terrible eczema that much of her skin was split.

The inquest at Glebe Coroner's Court has been told the cracks in her skin caused the baby agonising pain and were a potential source of entry for the bacteria that killed her.

Parents Thomas Sam, a homeopath, and IT professional Manju Samuel treated her with homeopathic remedies rather than her prescribed medication.

State Coroner Mary Jerram terminated the inquest today after finding there was a reasonable prospect the evidence presented to the inquiry could convince a jury to convict "a known person or persons of a serious crime".

Ms Jerram said the evidence showed the known person or persons caused Gloria's death and that their negligence warranted criminal punishment.

"In my view there is a prima facie case to consider and there is a reasonable prospect that a jury would convict," Ms Jerram said today.

The coroner also recommended a central body be established for homeopaths in NSW with mandatory membership.

Ms Jerram said such a system would have multiple benefits for the public.

"I therefore recommend the NSW Department of Health consider introducing a mandatory system of registration for persons practising or wishing to practise homeopathy," Ms Jerram said.

The parents of the dead child were not present in court today.

AAP
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For more information on homeopathy please see the wikipedia page and I recommend you watch the video 'James Randi explains homeopathy'.