- Position‹3 of 3
Alternative medicine can cause serious harm
This position holds that alternative medicine can cause serious harm. It argues that, far from being harmlessly comforting, it diverts people from effective treatment, that some remedies are actively dangerous, that vast sums are wasted on it, and that anyone can pose as a therapist.
Supporting arguments · 4
- Anyone can portray themselves as an alternative therapistUnlike the years and years of intensive education, ongoing supervision and high levels of regulation that doctors, nurses and pharmacists undergo, anyone can set up shop as an alternative therapist or healer.
- Huge amounts of money are spent on alternative medicineMillions are spent both on research into alternative medicine as well as the money spent by people on their alternative health care.
- Alternative medicine prevents people from getting real medicinePeople who believe strongly in alternative medicines sometimes avoid seeking traditional treatment because they believe alternative medicine will cure them.
- Some alternative medicines are actively harmfulAlternative medicine can have negative interactions with prescribed mainstream medications people may already be on.