Posted by Randal on August 23, 2002, at 12:42:55
In reply to Re: Mercola and Quackwatchers, posted by phil on August 23, 2002, at 7:11:52
Phil,
I just can't resist this one. Here's something I found in Mercola's most recent newsletter at www.mercola.com It's from an article titled "McDonald's & Biophoton Deficiency".
"DNA is the central storage repository for light in our body and is twisted around itself in a double helix, which can turn right or left. It belongs to the group of nucleic acids, of which there are two chains: the DNA and the RNA. DNA and RNA are built like a helix. Both strands form the structure and consist of sugars and phosphate groups that show a basic reaction.
The links are attached to the sugars and are basic. However, there are only four bases in the DNA: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. Only recently have researchers realized that cells do not simply absorb light but emit it coherently; the DNA and RNA molecules are a laser-active medium and can produce an optical hologram that communicates with the resonance of the background fields of our Earth and the planets as well as galaxies."
Now as someone who uses DNA and RNA on a daily basis, and has an advanced degree in biophysics, I can tell you that such ideas are well, um..."questionable" to put it politely. I showed it to a few people around here and we got a good laugh. One guy (who has a bipolar mother by the way) described the ideas as delusional. I was half-seriously thinking about posting it here and asking people whether they thought the thinking was more characteristic of manic psychosis or schizophrenia. I don't mean this as an insult to anyone--I've certainly had my own bizarre thinking while manic.So the question is: what does this say about Mercola? I'm assuming (hoping!) that he's not in need of antipsychotic medication (and again, no offense to anyone). Presumably he got this gem from someone else.
This raises the question: Is Mercola able (or willing) to critically judge information provided to him??
This is exactly why we need watchdog organizations like Quackwatch: to fill in the gaps of our own knowledge. With all the information out there none of us (including those with a background in medical research!) can know everything. If someone throws out terms like DNA, RNA and photon, I think some people will just assume he knows what he's talking about. I'm guessing that the part about communicating with the resonance of the background fields of the planets and galaxies clued in a lot of people, though...
Randal
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again"-- Alexander Pope
> Haven't had time to research this guy enough but a few things jumped out at me when I saw his site.
>
> He mentioned being a member of some Christian organization. I wonder if he was Islamic or practiced buddhism if that would be mentioned. It's a small thing but it's not. If he's a Christian, he hasn't figured out the idea of til death do us part. Not that many have.
>
> He mentioned the money making machines but then says he isn't in it for a swimming pool and bigger house or whatever. Anybody that charges his marked up prices and says he just wants to make a difference is lying. I'd bet he has a huge house with a swimming pool already.
>
> He's going the same route as Andrew Weil who I used to admire. Now Weil sells his own vitamins(of course, all profits go back into his company).
> One of my brother's and I went through his 'Vitamin Advisor'. Between us, according to Weil, we should both be taking about $250.00 a month in vitamins.
> Weil was busted on 60 Minutes before he made his own vitamins. Two of the brands he heavily promoted were independently tested and had very bad results. When asked about this, Weil said he would let the companies know. Yeah, right.
>
> www.mercola.com/article/eft.htm
> Drop your greedy doctors because you can tap your chin and feel better. I'd like to really know how well EFT works. You can do it yourself or over the phone! Sounds like a psychic hotline.
>
> For a mere $50.00 you can restore your vision and throw your glasses away. An ebook for 50.00? Why not just sum it up? No hype?
>
> EFT "Almost too good to be true. Teach yourself in 5 minutes or your money back." No hype?
> Give me some studies.
>
> Get off your meds, throw away your glasses, and cure yourself by tapping on your chin(no more meds). What does it take to spot a quack. How about "Super Food"? A mere $80.00 for a 2 week supply.
>
> Right beside his 'All health-no hype' is a headline screaming about EFT,"It ought to be illegal to
> learn how to improve someone's health so quickly and rapidly." Yes and it probably is at least unethical.
>
> This is one guy I'd like to see Mike Wallace have a chat with.
>
> Just an opinion,
>
> Phil
>
> I'm sure he has some very good ideas but I'd rather go elsewhere.
>
>
>
poster:Randal
thread:111261
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020821/msgs/117527.html