Comments on: More on Burne, Holford, Rath and HIV/AIDS

By: Linnea

Linnea — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 11:08:55 +0000

Rath and friends are doing a lot of damage in South Africa, his current target. He is targeting the poorest of the poor, spreading leaflets containing his claims near township health clinics. In addition, he offers translations of his website into local South African languages. He is definitely trying to get a foothold in this country and has successfully, to date, used the Department of Health as an ally.
Interesting, he claims on his website that the “BMJ publishes a retraction and an apology to Dr. Rath”, but the link does not work. Hopefully the lawsuit brought against him by the TAC and the South African Medical Association will provide the public of South Africa with the facts, and expose him for the cruel opportunist that he is.

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:38:41 +0000

Thanks for the replies.

Coracle- as you say, not sure of the articles you cite are playing to a certain audience..?

Canard- I'm pleased to say that Holford's clarified his position on this to an extent (see update to this post), so something good has come out of this. I've e-mailed Holford a couple of further questions on this issue.

By: Le Canard Noir

Le Canard Noir — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:13:10 +0000

Jon, i would say that this article gets to the whole point about this blog. Talking nonsense about nutrition on GMTV might provide a light hearted 20 minute slot, but it is only a gnat's gnadger away from the sort of talk that can cost hundred's of thousands of lives.

The stakes are high in Southern Africa. When challenging the standard wisdom of what causes death from AIDS, one needs to be damn well sure that you have tons of evidence. Otherwise, you risk fooling people whose lives depending on politicians and themselves taking sound action.

Now, Holford does not look to be on the extreme end of the HIV deniers - not at all. But he does look as if he is only a few degrees removed from those that could do untold damage. Writing books on why 'food is better than drugs' requires a a huge amount of caveating and clarity about how drugs have vastly improved the longevity and quality of billions.
In this case, we must heed the rarely sound advice of George Bush; you are either with us or against us. The silence of those who skirt around the edges of the HIV nutriquackery is damning. Loud voices are required. Patrick's marketing prowess is obviously huge. Why not use that power to make clear statements that could prevent a genocide? His recent tour of SA did not make headlines about damning inditements of Rath and his dangerous ideas.

By: coracle

coracle — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:30:20 +0000

I don't know, I wasn't much impressed by these articles: Statins: the truth

and

Fat? It's not your fault

But he may be playing to the audience in these articles