The Singh libel case and 'alternative medicine'

Abstract

Simon Singh, a physicist and a leading science writer, authored bestsellers on Fermat's last theorem, the Big Bang and code breaking. Recently he co-authored with Edzard Ernst, Professor of Complementary Medicine, a book on alternative therapies entitled Trick or Treatment? . When published in April 2008, Singh wrote an article for The Guardian which coincided with chiropractic awareness week, ‘Beware the spinal trap’. The article has been retracted by The Guardian but is easily googled, republished widely on the web by a band of bloggers, publishers and sceptical organizations. Chiropractic therapy was invented by faith healer Daniel David Palmer in 1890s America. Inspired by the miraculous recovery of a deaf man whom he treated by ‘racking’ his back, Palmer thought that 99% of all diseases are caused by nerves trapped by misaligned vertebrae, causing blockages in the flow of energy from the spinal column. While modern chiropractors focus on treating back problems, traditional chiropractors still believe Palmer's mythology. Singh discussed the risks of chiropractic treatment, which he noted have been associated with dislocations and fractures, potentially leading to stroke and death.1 He challenged the evidence base for these treatments in various childhood conditions. The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) claimed Singh had defamed their reputation and threatened to sue him in libel. Singh decided not to back down. He wrote: ‘The article was about an issue of public interest, namely childhood health and the effectiveness of particular treatments for some serious conditions. Hence, I was not prepared to apologize for an article that I still believed was important for parents to read, and which I believed was accurate and legally defensible. (http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/340, …