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DEATH BY DOCTORING DEATH DOCTORING Vitamins C and B17 (also called laetrile) have longstanding success in cancer prevention and treatment, yet the orthodox medical profession continues to deny their benefits. Part 2 of 2 ut what relevance does all this have to the debate on treatments for cancer? Where is all of this headed? This has been a necessary diversion—firstly, that we might begin to understand some of the frustrations that many reasone thinkers have with the issues raised; and secondly, that we might begin to con- sider the impact that such weakened thinking has on genuine natural treatments for dis- ease. For instance, what damage is secondarily being wrought upon the reputation of the genuine treatments in the cabinet, the ones that can actually heal? Sadly, there is no clear division between the reputation of much of the unregulate: alternative health industry and that of the many sensible and proven, non-conventional treatments available today. It has all become a horrible blur and is a point of major concern even to the non-orthodox regulatory bodies overseeing the alternative/complementary health movement. The whole arena is fraught with as many vested interests an misunderstandings as conventional health, but commentaries drawing such conclusions— even from those concerned bodies sympathetic to the natural approach—are viewed as almost heretical and somehow betraying the brotherhood of the alternative hierarchy. Personally speaking, critical debate should commence as soon as possible with regar to those "helping" therapies that only temporarily distract the seriously ill. In need only of sensible advice and sensible treatment, these people can very quickly end up worse off in body, mind and spirit—and, last but not least, in pocket—leading very quickly to derision and a carte blanche dismissal of all the good that genuine natural treatments have to offer. John Diamond stated that there was as much chance of his going down the alternative treatment route as there was of the Pope getting drunk on the communion wine and get- ting off with a couple of nuns.'* Whilst we can perhaps understand some of John Diamond's frustrations, his comparisons don't exactly aid the cause. Because the truth is that the alternativist's cabinet is not all "mumbo jumbo" by any means. Genuine medicine can be found in there. Perhaps a name change is in order. Are we alternative? Are we complementary? But complementary to what? To chemotherapy, perhaps? But then, what medicine could pos- sibly complement chemotherapy? Shouldn't there just be medicine and non-medicine, full stop? Be that as it may, many people are wrongly assuming that the non-orthodox med- ical cabinet is barren and not worthy of closer inspection. The hazy and often crazy information being disseminated on numerous non- conventional treatments, coupled with our innate and naive trust in the orthodoxy, is the reason why thousands of people like John Diamond are staying with, and relying upon, conventional treatments for serious illnesses including cancer. As a result, thousands of people like John Diamond are dying, and often in a horrible fashion. by Steven Ransom © 2002 Research Director Credence Publications, UK Telephone: +44 (0)1622 832386 Email: steve1 @onetel.net.uk Website: http:/Avww.credence.org Extracted from his book Great News on Cancer in the 21st Century (Credence, 2002) Vitamin B17 In his UK Observer article entitled "Quacks on the Rack", John Diamond summarily dismissed what is arguably the most famous of the natural and proven anti-cancer treatments known to man: the natural extract of the apricot kernel, otherwise known as vitamin B17. "Supporters of laetrile (vitamin B17) and Essiac, in particular, made so much noise about their miracle cures that both have been through the research mill on numerous occa- sions and found to be useless.""” NEXUS ¢ 33 REPUTATION IS EVERYTHING by Steven Ransom © 2002 OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2002 www.nexusmagazine.com