proctophasia
In his recent comment, Dana Ullman asked AI to analyse my critique of a yoga study. I thought this was good fun and therefore decided to do a similar exercise. I asked AI:
Dana Ullman, please summarize his his life-time achievement in medical sciences.
Here is the reply I got:
Dana Ullman — Lifetime Achievements in Relation to the Medical Sciences
Dana Ullman is not a medical scientist and has not contributed original research, clinical trials, or theoretical advances to the medical sciences. His lifetime achievements instead lie in public advocacy, education, and popularization of homeopathy, a system of alternative medicine that remains outside the scientific consensus.
1. Popularization of Homeopathy
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Ullman has been one of the most prominent American communicators of homeopathy to lay audiences.
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Through books, lectures, and media appearances, he helped sustain public awareness of homeopathy during a period when evidence-based medicine increasingly dominated medical science.
2. Educational Infrastructure (Non-Scientific)
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He co-founded Homeopathic Educational Services, which provides training and informational materials about homeopathy.
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These programs focus on belief-based and historical frameworks, not on experimentally validated biomedical science.
3. Authorship and Public Discourse
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Ullman authored several widely circulated books, including:
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Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines
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Discovering Homeopathy
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His writing emphasizes anecdotal evidence, traditional doctrine, and patient testimonials rather than reproducible scientific data.
4. Engagement With Scientific and Regulatory Institutions
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Ullman has actively participated in public debates involving organizations such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, primarily to argue against stricter regulation of homeopathic products.
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His role has been adversarial rather than contributory to medical science, often disputing mainstream scientific standards of evidence.
5. Standing Within Medical Science
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Homeopathy, the field Ullman represents, is widely regarded by the scientific community as biologically implausible and unsupported by high-quality clinical evidence.
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Consequently, Ullman’s work is considered outside the domain of medical science, even though it interacts with scientific institutions and public health policy.
Overall Assessment
Dana Ullman’s lifetime achievement is not in advancing medical science, but in:
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Sustaining a major alternative-medicine movement
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Influencing public perception and policy discussions
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Acting as a long-term ideological counterpoint to evidence-based medicine
His historical significance lies in science communication and cultural influence, not in scientific discovery or medical innovation.
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Yes, you are correct!
This is unfair!!!
We need a comparison to see how critical AI evaluates.
So, I asked AI another question:
Edzard Ernst, please summarize his his life-time achievement in medical sciences.
Here is the reply:
Edzard Ernst — Lifetime Achievements in Medical Sciences
Edzard Ernst is a physician-scientist whose career fundamentally reshaped how complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is evaluated within evidence-based medicine. His lifetime contribution lies in applying rigorous scientific methods to an area that had long lacked systematic scrutiny.
1. Pioneer of Evidence-Based Evaluation of CAM
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Ernst was the first professor worldwide dedicated to complementary medicine at a conventional medical school, holding a chair at the University of Exeter.
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He transformed CAM research by insisting on randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, applying the same standards used in pharmacology and clinical medicine.
2. Foundational Research Output
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Authored or co-authored over 1,000 scientific papers in peer-reviewed medical journals.
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His work systematically evaluated treatments such as homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, and herbal medicine, often demonstrating lack of efficacy or unacceptable risk.
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His research is widely cited and has influenced clinical guidelines, regulatory discussions, and public health policy.
3. Establishment of a Research Discipline
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Ernst helped establish CAM evaluation as a legitimate academic field, even while concluding that many CAM therapies fail scientific testing.
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He trained researchers and clinicians in critical appraisal, leaving a lasting methodological legacy beyond his own publications.
4. Influential Books and Science Communication
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Authored influential books bridging academia and the public, including:
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Trick or Treatment?
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Edzard Ernst’s Desk Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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These works are noted for translating complex medical evidence into accessible language without compromising scientific rigor.
5. Defense of Scientific Integrity in Medicine
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Ernst became a prominent defender of scientific standards, patient safety, and medical ethics, often in the face of political and institutional pressure.
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His willingness to publish unfavorable results about popular therapies strengthened norms against publication bias and conflict-driven research.
6. Global Impact and Recognition
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His conclusions have been cited by organizations such as the World Health Organization and national health bodies.
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Ernst is widely regarded as the most influential critic-scientist of alternative medicine in modern medical history.
Overall Assessment
Edzard Ernst’s lifetime achievement in medical sciences is defined by:
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Introducing scientific accountability to alternative medicine
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Protecting patients from ineffective or harmful treatments
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Strengthening the principles of evidence-based medicine across disciplines
His legacy is not tied to a single discovery, but to a systematic correction of how medicine evaluates claims, making his contribution both enduring and foundational.
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I hope you forgive me this little bit of childish fun.
Perhaps you even enjoyed it as much as I did?
Homeopathy is among the most popular kinds of so-called alternative medicine (SCAM). Patients have different opinions about homeopathy because there is still debate about its efficacy and scientific foundation, despite its popularity. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare homeopathic therapies to conventional medicine in terms of patient satisfaction for a range of health issues.
Secifically, the Indian researchers aimed to compare levels of patient satisfaction with homeopathic vs conventional treatments in terms of:
- treatment results,
- side effects,
- cost,
- and overall experience.
A varied group of patients undergoing therapy for long-term diseases like anxiety, asthma, and arthritis provided the data. Patients’ levels of satisfaction with their therapy, its duration, their perceptions of safety, and the quality of their interactions with their providers were measured using a standardized survey that contained Likert-scale items.
Patients who had homeopathic treatment were more likely to be satisfied with their tailored care and the low frequency of adverse effects, according to the results. On the other hand, patients receiving conventional treatments were more satisfied with the rapid alleviation of their symptoms and the fact that their treatments were based on solid evidence. But many patients in both categories were worried about how much their treatments would cost and whether or not they would be beneficial in the long run. Perceivable treatment efficacy, safety, and the total healthcare experience are three of the many aspects that impact patients’ levels of satisfaction.
The authors concluded that the significance of patient-centered care and the necessity for additional research to comprehend the elements contributing to contentment in various treatment modalities highlight the value of both conventional and homeopathic treatments.
This amazingly incompetent paper was published in the ‘Indian Journal of Ayurvedic & Alternative Medicine’ by Dr. Anil Kumar Sharma. He is the dean of the Faculty of Homoeopathy, Govt. Ayush University, Kurukshetra Professor, JRK Homoeopathic Medical College, Rohtak Teacher Code Registered with National Homoeopathic Commission, Govt. of India.
Amazingly incompetent?
I better justify this verdict!
But where to begin? I cannot possibly discuss all the fatal flaws of this paper. Let me just mention a few obvious ones:
- A “standardized survey” was used to measure the outcomes. But was it validated to ensure that it quantified what the researcher thought to measure? No!
- Were the two patient groups comparable? No!
- Were they objective? No, the homeopathy group has chosen to consult homeopaths. Thus the results are as meaningful as asking people who choose to buy a hamburger whether they like eating beef.
- The conclusions are pure fantasy and do not follow from the data.
You may feel that all this is irrelevant nonsense – and you would be entirely correct. Yet, I think that this paper might still be important for one reason: it was published by the dean of the Faculty of Homoeopathy, Govt. Ayush University, Kurukshetra Professor. Imagine the dean of the faculty of cosmology of a reputable university wrote a paper claiming without any eveidence that the earth was flat. That, in my view, would be the equivalent of the above article.
In my frantic ambition to stay young for ever (just kidding!), I came across an interesting article about the “longevity doctor” Mohammed Enayats who claims to have cut his biological age from 41 to 24, while plugging treatments at his Chelsea-based “futuristic health lounge HUM2N” Dr Enayat is said to be a “rockstar visionary” creating the “tomorrowland of health”. Of course, he lacks any published research into longevity, but he cites a decade of experience as a GP and specialisation in “functional” medicine, the rebranded term for so-called alternative medicine (SCAM).
For longer living – aka “biohacking” – HUM2N offers intravenous ozone therapy. The US Food and Drug Administration has warned against such treatment, saying there isn’t enough evidence that it’s either useful or safe. The journal Archives of Academic Emergency Medicine reported the case of a 36-year-old woman who was admitted to hospital in Australia suffering severe neurological complications shortly after being given IV ozone to “boost immunity”. On this blog, we discussed this treatment several times, e.g.:
- CAM-CANCER: a most valuable source of information
- “Dr” Patrick Vickers and “the world’s premier clinic for the treatment of cancer and advanced disease”
And in my book, I have an entire chapter on it which concludes: “Unless sound positive evidence emerges, the risk/benefit balance of ozone therapy for any condition fails to be positive.”
Furthermore, HUM2N also offers expensive hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which has real life-saving uses for rare situations, such as divers with decompression sickness, but is widely sold by alternative-health practitioners as a SCAM for anything from ADHD to hair loss, despite the risks of serious lung and ear injuries (see Eye 1647). On this blog, we have repeatedly discuused this treatment and its dangers, e.g.:
- Former chiropractor fined after death of MS patient receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- A 5-year old boy has been ‘incinerated’ in an oxygen chamber undergoing alternative treatment for ADHD
- “Dr” Patrick Vickers and “the world’s premier clinic for the treatment of cancer and advanced disease”
When asked about the scientific basis for such treatments, Dr Enayat sent a long list of articles and papers, mostly relating to experimental uses to treat specific health conditions rather than providing evidence of improving longevity. “We are transparent where evidence is emerging rather than conclusive,” he insisted.
Another cornerstone of HUM2N’s offerings is NAD+, a bodily coenzyme it describes as the “miracle molecule”. For £1,995, the treatment is claimed by HUM2N to improve IVF success rates – when asked for evidence of this, Dr Enayat cited a study into mice that itself cautions “highly limited” effects on humans with “numerous questions unanswered” and no human trials. He said NAD+ treatments were “clearly positioned as exploratory, not a proven disease-modifying therapy”.
Controversial skincare treatment intravenous glutathione is sold for £195 a pop. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute warned consumers earlier this year that the treatments are “not licensed for cosmetic use here and pose significant health risks”, frequently causing nasty side effects especially when administered intravenously, including kidney or liver damage and anaphylaxis. When challenged, Dr Enayat agreed that “strong clinical data” for benefits of this treatment “exist only in specific niches”. Dr David Gems, professor of biogerontology at University College London’s Institute of Healthy Ageing, described it as “surprising that a registered GP would be so relaxed about offering some of these quack treatments”. And Dr Michael Sagner of King’s College London’s ARK ageing research unit described any advertised “biohacking” as a red flag, with most treatments being useless and some dangerous.
So, what should we think about Dr Enayat’s “tomorrowland of health”?
I don’t know about you, but I get the feeling that staying well away from it might be the best chance to reach an right old age.
It has been reported that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took the top spot in this year’s Shkreli Awards from the Lown Institute. The annual awards call out greed and fraud in the healthcare industry. Lown Institute president Vikas Saini, MD, explained that the purpose of the awards is to call out “systemic problems” in which healthcare organizations and clinicians “chase money and greed to the point where they cut corners … with devastating results to patient care.”
Kennedy garnered the lion’s share of judges’ votes for his baseless claims about causes of autism that have baffled the public and angered medical experts. “Citing studies that showed correlation but no causal evidence, and despite clinicians, toxicologists, and major medical organizations having looked at the research and rejected the claim, he asserted a link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism,” the Lown judges said.
Kennedy then suggested infants undergoing circumcision have higher rates of autism because they likely received acetaminophen for pain, yet his evidence was an unreviewed and unpublished preprint, judges said. “While this spectacle of erratic scientific leadership around autism is supposedly tied to Making America Healthy Again, many are now asking not what Kennedy can do for his country, but how his country can undo what he has already done,” the judges wrote.
Saini stated that Kennedy may be asking reasonable questions, like what is causing autism. The problem is that he then “makes brash announcements … and trumpets them like the Second Coming, saying, ‘We’re going to just fix all this,’ which is playing fast and loose with the facts, and really undermines confidence in decision making and leadership.”
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Needless to say that I agree with this award. On this blog, I have repeatedly commented on Kennedy’s irrational and dangerous views, actions and initiatives. In my view, he does not belong into any position of responsibility, particularly in the area of healthcare. In a nutshell, he uses science like a drunken man uses a lamppost – not for illumination, but for support.
The connections between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) cult, and the US chiropractic profession are complex and worrying.
Chiropractors’ support for RFK Jr.
The shady love affair had started long before RFK Jr. decided to join Trump. While Kennedy conducted his anti-vaccine campaign before running for president, chiropractors were hefty donors to his actions. In 2019, for instance, they donated nearly half a million dollars to the cause — about a sixth of the organization’s revenue that year. When Kennedy created the MAHA Alliance super PAC for his presidential candidacy, more than half of its initial donors were chiropractors. And when Kennedy’s nomination to lead HHS was questioned, a raft of chiropractors signed a letter of support for him.
RFK Jr.’s advocacy for so-called alternative medicine (SCAM)
After his appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), RFK Jr. has proven to be a vocal proponent of SCAM, particularly chiropractic. He has publicly supported chiropractic, for inctance, when speaking at chiropractic colleges and forums. His expressed his belief that chiropractic is a “necessary part of modern healthcare” and that chiropractors treat the “root causes” of disease, while conventional medicine is just masking symptoms. Major professional chiro-organizations, such as the “International Chiropractors Association” (ICA) and the “Georgia Council of Chiropractic” (GCC), have therefore applauded Kennedy’s appointment to HHS, viewing it as a “pivotal moment” for the advancement of chiropractic care and its integration into federal health programs. They anticipate his leadership will lead to expanded insurance reimbursement and greater acceptance by MAHA followers. “People that graduated with me in 2017, probably out of 100 people … around 70 or 80 of them were Kennedy freaks,” says Gabe Padilla, who once studied and worked as a chiropractor but has since left the field. “And I’m talking about, wow, they lived and breathed this man. They would drink his bath water if they could.”
The MAHA Initiative and Holistic Integration
The MAHA cult allegedly aims to tackle the chronic disease epidemic through a strategy that includes a focus on SCAM. It claims that factors like poor diet, environmental chemicals, over-medicalization and even vaccinations are major drivers of chronic illness. This over-emphasis on external and lifestyle factors, and a rejection of conventional medicine and science resonates with the “philosophy” espoused in the chiropractic, SCAM “wellness” spheres. The MAHA framework thus includes the goal of incorporating SCAM, opening the door for increased governmental support for chiropractic. There even is a chiropractic liaison for MAHA now, whose job is to keep chiropractic organizations connected to the larger movement.
Chiropractors are delighted, of course, advocating the expansion of Medicare and Medicaid coverage beyond spinal adjustments. In DD Palmer’s tradition, chiropractors advocate their quackery as a panacea. RFK Jr. and MAHA have developed strong ties to a dubious coalition of wellness influencers, holistic and functional medicine advocates, and anti-vaxers. This alliance favours SCAM and questions the scientific and medical establishment—a sentiment that creates a fertile environment for chiropractic. Spending on wellness in general has hit more than $500 billion in the United States and is projected to continue growing. Meanwhile, the employment of chiropractors is forecasted to rise 10 percent over the next decade, at a higher rate than the average for all occupations.
Conclusion
The connection between RFK Jr./MAHA and chiropractic is a relationship of mutual support and ideological alignment. The chiropractic profession sees Kennedy’s leadership as a political opportunity to achieve greater recognition and financial integration, while Kennedy’s MAHA framework provides an official platform for promoting chiropractic quackery.
Anemia is a medical condition where the ability of the blood to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues and organs is reduced. This is usually due to one of three reasons:
- Low Number of Red Blood Cells: The body is not producing enough healthy red blood cells (RBCs) or loosing them in large amounts.
- Low Hemoglobin Concentration: The concentration of hemoglobin within the RBCs is lower than normal.
- Abnormal Red Blood Cells: The cells themselves are defective like in in sickle cell anemia.
In cases of very severe anemia the lack of oxygen delivery can become critical and lead to:
- Stroke,
- Respiratory Failure,
- Kidney Failure,
- Loss of Consciousness,
- Hypovolemic Shock,
- Death.
So far so good (or bad). This is basic knowledge that all medical students learn. As many homeopaths have never studied medicine, it probably is quite new to most homeopaths. At least, this is the impression I got when reading an extraordinary article entitled “Anaemia: A Holistic Exploration Through the Lens of Homeopathy” by homeopaths from the “Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Sector 26, Chandigarh, India”. Let me show you a few passages from it:
The abstract
Anaemia, a deficiency in red blood cells or haemoglobin, silently erodes vitality, impacting millions worldwide. This abstract delves into its intricate facets, from physiological underpinnings to diverse manifestations. Recognized by the World Health Organization as a pressing concern, anaemia disproportionately affects young children, menstruating adolescents, and pregnant women. While modern medicine attributes this cause to nutritional deficits, genetic anomalies, and chronic illnesses, homeopathy offers a holistic perspective. Tailored to individual constitution and symptoms, homeopathy seeks equilibrium by harnessing the body’s inherent healing mechanisms. Remedies like China Officinalis for post-haemorrhagic debility and Ferrum Phos for iron deficiency epitomize this approach.
In the article, the authors explain further:
Anaemia embodies the subtle yet profound presence of the psoric miasm within the body, precipitating a cascade of functional disturbances. The selection of an appropriate antipsoric remedy based on causation, constitution, peculiar symptoms and the totality of their presentation, is of paramount importance. Here’s the essence of several key homeopathic remedies commonly recommended for anaemia.
- China officinalis- Anaemia occurs due to loss of vital fluids (6), with debility and nervous erethism. Indicated after excessive haemorrhages when circulation becomes feeble and the patient is sensitive to cold. There is headache with a sensation as if the skull would burst with ringing in ears, relieved from pressure and warm room. There is dizziness when walking. Patients have slow digestion and are bloated, where belching gives no relief. Ill effects of excess tea intake. Painless night diarrhoea, especially during hot weather, after fruits or milk.
- Ferrum metallicum- Anaemia of weak chlorotic women yet having a fiery red face on slightest emotion. Hammering headache and least noise cause irritability, vertigo on seeing flowing water. Nausea and vomiting immediately after eating, spits up food in mouthfuls. Diarrhoea on attempt to eat and intolerance of eggs. Anaemic murmur. Any active effort like speaking or walking produces weakness eventhough looking strong.
The authors’ conclusions
Anaemia stands as a formidable health challenge affecting millions globally, silently sapping vitality and resilience. While modern medicine strives to uncover its multifaceted causes, homeopathy emerges as a beacon of hope, offering personalized care rooted in the individual’s constitution and symptomatology. Through meticulous selection of the indicated antipsoric remedy and gentle stimulation of the body’s innate healing capacities, homeopathy addresses anaemia’s complexities with finesse.
Why do I discuss such a paper?
Would it not be better to ignore stuff like this?
I think, it is important to every now and then point out how dangerous homeopathy really is. There is no question that therapists who adhere to the pseudo-knowledge of homeopathy are a danger to their patients. In the case of anemia (which usually reponds extremely well to proper causal treatment), they would prolong mild to moderate symptoms – and, if anemia is severe, they might even kill the patient who follows their instructions.
I see 4 important lessons here:
- Homeopaths live on a different planet where evidence counts little and dogma reigns.
- This renders homeopaths potentially very dangerous.
- Relying on homeopaths is likely to prolong suffering and, in serious illness, can be fatal.
- Homeopathy addresses complexities not with “finesse” but with ignorance and an unethical disregard of patients’ needs.
Two days ago, the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) published an announcement; here are its ‘key points’:
- The claim “vaccines do not cause autism” is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.
- Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.
- HHS has launched a comprehensive assessment of the causes of autism, including investigations on plausible biologic mechanisms and potential causal links.
In the announcement proper, they make the following argument:
The rise in autism prevalence since the 1980s correlates with the rise in the number of vaccines given to infants. Though the cause of autism is likely to be multi-factorial, the scientific foundation to rule out one potential contributor entirely has not been established. For example, one study found that aluminum adjuvants in vaccines had the highest statistical correlation with the rise in autism prevalence among numerous suspected environmental causes…
I am concerned with all the many other relationships that have not been adequately investigated, presumably because of powerful interests from influential organisations. Here are just three examples.:
- It is well known that the consumption of ice cream correlates with death from drowning. How many people have to die until the government finally stops the BIG ICE CREAM lobby?
- Similarly, it is a fact that the more margarine is consumed, the higher the divorce rate in Maine. How many marriages will have to break up, until BIG MARGERINE is finally stopped?
- Finally, it is well known that the rate of chocolate consumption correlates within a country with the number of Nobel Prizes that country is awarded. How long do we have to wait until chocolate consumption becomes mandatory to boost the cognitive function of our children?
I am convinced that these three examples – there are plenty more, if you only do your research as well as RFKJr clearly does – are at least as important and just as plausible as the one currently tackled by the CDC. Therefore I urge the CDC to speed up their research and go after all the red herrings they can possibly find.
PS
In my experience, there are some readers who are intellectually too limited to identify satire. Let me therefore make it clear that THIS POST IS SATIRE!
PPS
There has been wide-spread condemnation of the CDC announcement, e.g.:
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): The president of the AAP called the change “false information” and asserted that the updated page was promoting a harmful myth. The organization emphasized that over 40 high-quality studies involving more than 5.6 million people have clearly and unambiguously concluded that there is no link between vaccines and autism.
- Scientific Integrity and Public Trust: Public health experts and former CDC officials argued that the revision was “reckless and harmful,” had “no scientific rationale,” and was driven by “politics” rather than science. They warned that the move would sow doubt in routine childhood immunizations and undermine public trust in the CDC as a credible scientific voice.
- Lack of Scientific Review: Critics noted that the updated content did not cite any new research and appeared to have been implemented without the normal scientific clearance process involving career scientists at the CDC.
Every now and then, I come across a paper that stuns me – not because it is so brilliant (scientific articles are supposed to be brilliant) but because of other qualities. Here is a truly impressive example entitled “The Principle of Homeopathy” This is its abstract [I have not changed a word]:
Homeopathy is based on the principle that the body’s immune system maintains a dynamic equilibrium between health-supporting molecules [A] and disease supporting molecules [B] to prevent systemic collapse. According to the Law of Similars and in alignment with Le Chatelier’s principle, administering a remedy that induces symptoms similar to those of the disease in a healthy individual stimulates the production of health-supporting molecules, thereby accelerating the healing process. The effectiveness of homeopathic treatment is attributed to a process known as succussion – a combination of serial dilution and vigorous milling – which enhances the remedy’s therapeutic properties by transforming it from a suspension into a highly potent [B] simillimum solution.
The abstract is already remarkable, but it pales vis a vis some of the text in the paper itself. My favourite secition is entitled “Thermodynamic Perspective”:
From a thermodynamic standpoint, the body’s immune system establishes a dynamic equilibrium [A]↔[B] between action of health supporting molecules (A) and action of disease-supporting molecules (B) to prevent systemic collapse. Dynamic equilibrium is a fundamental concept in natural laws governing energy changes and the probability distribution of particles in biochemical reactions [8, 9]. Mathematically, this Dynamic equilibrium can be expressed using the Law of Mass Action [10].
K = [B] / [A]
Where, K is the equilibrium constant.
If the system is disturbed – for example, by introducing a homeopathic remedy (Simillimum) – the equilibrium shifts according to Le Châtelier’s principle [11]. This means the body may compensate for the disruption by adjusting concentrations of [A] and [B], leading to an increase in health-supporting molecules [A] at the expense of disease supporting molecules [B]. This concept aligns with homeopathy’s core principle: “like cures like.” In this theoretical framework, dynamic equilibrium provides a scientific basis for homeopathy, paralleling other biological regulatory mechanisms.
I know that many of my readers have doubts about homeopathy and its actions. I am confident that these doubts are now laid to rest by the author of this paper, Mihael Drofenik fron the Jožef Stefan Institute, Materials Synthesis, Ljubljana, Slovenia and the University of Maribor, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Maribor, Slovenia.
Large language models (LLMs) can generate false facts, often referred to as “hallucinations”. The technique is often used for generating, plausible-sounding, but completely fabricated references in scientific papers. Apparently, it is happening at an alarmingly high rate. One study revealed that ~ 47% of references generated by LLMs like ChatGPT, were completely made up, and only a small percentage (around 7%) were both authentic and accurate.
The fake references are highly convincing, making the fabricated entries look legitimate. Such fraudulent papers can thus easily pass through peer-review. Some researchers and ‘paper mills’ knowingly use AI to generate fraudulent papers or references to inflate their publication record.
A recent study found that “LLMs are highly susceptible to adversarial hallucination attacks, frequently generating false clinical details that pose risks when used without safeguards. While prompt engineering reduces errors, it does not eliminate them”. Several medical journals and institutions have therefore taken to investigating “hallucination”and are issuing retractions or correction notices for such papers.
The case of a US govermnent document previously discussed on this blog can serve as an apt example of “hallucination”:
The Trump administration released a report billed as a “clear, evidence-based foundation” for action on a range of children’s health issues. But the report, from the presidential “Make America Healthy Again Commission”, cited studies that did not exist, as reported by the NEW YORK TIMES and several further publications. These included fictitious studies on direct-to-consumer drug advertising, mental illness and medications prescribed for children with asthma.
“It makes me concerned about the rigor of the report, if these really basic citation practices aren’t being followed,” said Katherine Keyes, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University who was listed as the author of a paper on mental health and substance use among adolescents. Dr. Keyes has not written any paper by the title the report cited, nor does one seem to exist by any author.
Dr. Ivan Oransky, co-founder of Retraction Watch, said the errors in the report were characteristic of the use of generative artificial intelligence. He said that, while he did not know whether the government had used A.I. in producing the report or the citations, “we’ve seen this particular movie before, and it’s unfortunately much more common in scientific literature than people would like or than really it should be.”
Asked at a news conference on Thursday whether the report had relied on A.I., the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, deferred to the Department of Health and Human Services. Emily Hilliard, a spokeswoman for the department, did not answer a question about the source of the fabricated references and downplayed them as “minor citation and formatting errors.”
It should, however, be clear to anyone concerned that “hallucination” is far from a minor error. It is outright fraud that has the potential to do huge harm.
As I am not an avid reader of the UK honours lists, I totally missed the fact that Robin Daly has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2025 New Year Honours list. The honour was for his outstanding contributions to the field of integrative cancer care as the founder of the charity, “Yes to Life”. The “Yes to Life” website reported the event as follows:
We are thrilled to announce that our Chairman and Founder, Robin Daly, has been awarded an MBE in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of integrative cancer care and his tireless work through Yes to Life. This prestigious honour celebrates Robin’s unwavering dedication to supporting those affected by cancer and promoting holistic approaches to well-being. Congratulations, Robin, on this well-deserved accolade! …
On this blog, we have encountered “Yes to Life” before, e.g.:
- The ‘Yes to Life Show’ is outright dangerous, if you ask me
- Uncharitable charities? The example of ‘YES TO LIFE’
I had again a good look at what “Yes to Life” is currently offering and am glad to report that they clearly cleaned up their act. The charity used to promote outright dangerous quackery to desperate cancer patients. Today they still do this but they do it less overtly, e.g.:
- “Whether you’re seeking improved mental clarity, glowing skin, weight loss, detoxification, or support in battling diseases like cancer, juicing offers a customisable approach to achieving your wellness goals. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to adapt your juicing routine to address specific health needs, from overall well-being to targeted concerns like skin health, mental well-being, weight loss, detoxification, menopause, heart health and cancer support.”
- “From the moment of diagnosis through treatment and beyond, cancer patients face plenty of challenges that extend far beyond the physical symptoms. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), also known as tapping, have emerged as a promising support offering a gentle yet profound approach to addressing emotional and psychological well-being. At its core, EFT is a modality that combines elements of ancient Chinese acupressure with modern psychology. The technique involves gently tapping on specific acupressure points on the body while focusing on and verbalizing emotional issues, negative thoughts, or physical symptoms. By stimulating these energy meridian points and addressing emotional blockages, EFT aims to restore balance to the body’s energy system and promote healing on a holistic level.”
- “Turmeric, often referred to as the “golden spice,” contains curcumin, a compound with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin has been linked to enhanced immune function and may help the body defend against infections. You can incorporate turmeric into your diet by adding it to curries, soups, or even warm turmeric milk for a comforting and immune-boosting treat.”
- “Stress, anxiety, and emotional distress as well as physical pain and discomfort may be present along the entire cancer care pathway. These factors may impact treatment outcomes and recovery time. Most importantly, they present a significant burden of suffering to those affected by cancer and their loved ones. EFT is an effective, efficient management tool that can meet these needs and can be self- administered as well as used in a therapeutic relationship. The physical and emotional need for support can vary timewise along the cancer pathway and sometimes surprisingly patients can have significant mental and emotional needs as they recover, so well beyond their treatment phase (see the accompanying graph). Meeting these needs can contribute to long term well-being.”
- “The slightly strange sounding ‘Essiac’ tea is, in fact, simply a reversal of the surname of the woman who made it famous. In 1922, a young Canadian nurse, Rene Caisse, was given certain herbs by an old woman who had cured herself of breast cancer and had been handed down the recipe by the Ojibawa Native Americans who had used it for generations.”
Are we sure that the promotion of a whole lot of caner quackery merits a gong?
No!
Oddly, as I was writing this, I came across this on social media:
Ken Loach refused one of Betty’s gongs, in 1977, saying: ‘I turned down the OBE because its not a club you want to join when you look at the villains who’ve got it. It’s all the things I think are despicable: patronage, deferring to the monarchy and the name of the British Empire, which is a monument of exploitation and conquest’.
Perhaps we should add QUACKERY to Ken Loach’s list?
