BioBS for vets

[Sherman Bay]

A friend is taking her allergic dog to a vet far away because he has a BICOM 2000 machine. Naturally, I was interested in what it is and what it does, so I went to the BICOM 2000 web site, where I find that this marvelous machine cures everything, even diseases not yet discovered, using the "scientific principle of bioresonance."

The more I dig into this site, the worse it gets. First, here's the impressive digital (digital!) machine, with lots of cool knobs and dials. Next, there appears to be an association with Nobel prize winning technology in 2003. Clicking on the document Are there evidence-based studies on the efficacy of the bioresonance method?, we find that, no there aren't, and that's for a darn good reason:

The focus on randomised double-blind studies is an inappropriate attempt to apply the laws of inanimate nature to biological systems. Major pharmacological scandals go to prove the dubious reliability of randomised double-blind studies. Such experiments by their very nature necessitate an extreme reductionist approach which completely ignores the idiosyncrasies of biological systems. From an ethical point of view it is also a very questionable way of proceeding.

Yet our aim here is not to condemn randomised double-blind studies in general. Rather, the process of only accepting this method as scientific evidence is a very arbitrary and restrictive way of establishing proof which goes against scientific principles.

There aren't enough rolleyes in the Universe to express my feelings.

But it just gets worse. I thought I would try to debunk the How It Works page, but I can't find anything to agree with, so every sentence needs to be handled, and most are extravagant claims. Only the language is mild.

The chart at the bottom of that page is a real hoot, showing a dog getting a treatment by sitting on a mat attached to the machine. Basically, since you asked, the machine analyzes the animal's frequencies from its paw on the mat, which are "modulated," then returned to the animal thru a blanket on its back, and the animal is cured of whatever the machine detected was wrong with him. Lastly, the owner writes a check to the vet for $100. No wonder vets like it.

So how can they get away with this BS? Because it is marketed to veternarians, not human GPs. I imagine dogs know better; now only if they could communicate with their masters.

I am trying to get an operating manual for the BICOM. It should be good for some more laffs.

 

[Sherman Bay]

Correction: a BICOM Resonance initial evaluation and treatment is $150.00, a follow-up treatment is $70.00, at least at this clinic. I haven't found out what the purchase price of the machine is yet.

I wonder if you need to be a vet to use the machine. I can operate a Ouija Board, think that would be good enough?

 

[BlackKat]

Look how much the "courses" cost in the training section of the site.

Notice something about the reference section? All self-hosted.

At least you can feel somewhat relieved if you look at the list of "vets" who offer the treatment around the country. There's like 5 of them and they're all working for homeopath practices. Animal acupuncture? LOL.
So it's not like anyone silly enough to take their animal to them had any chance of the critter getting real treatment in the first place.

 

[Normal Dude]

As soon as I see the words "extreme reductionist" my BS meter begins to ping.

 

[Sherman Bay]

Look how much the "courses" cost in the training section of the site.

And that doesn't include the fare to Germany.

At least you can feel somewhat relieved if you look at the list of "vets" who offer the treatment around the country. There's like 5 of them and they're all working for homeopath practices. Animal acupuncture? LOL.

The vets window isn't scrollable, so on my screen I see only 3. None are in the city my friend is taking her dog to. I wonder if her vet has a bootleg or homemade version of the BICOM 2000? Think I should warn her he might not be qualified and the treatment might not be genuine? Nothing like spending your money for an impostor!

 

[This Guy]

And that doesn't include the fare to Germany.The vets window isn't scrollable, so on my screen I see only 3. None are in the city my friend is taking her dog to. I wonder if her vet has a bootleg or homemade version of the BICOM 2000? Think I should warn her he might not be qualified and the treatment might not be genuine? Nothing like spending your money for an impostor!

If your a decent programmer, just hack out a blinky light type program, run a USB cable to a floor mat, and treat the dog yourself. Save her a trip to the vet.

 

[DarwinsButterfly]

I wonder how long until the "evidence based" testimonials from the animals themselves will be published on the site...

 

[Rolfe]

I think I'm going to cry!

That this sort of thing happens at all speaks volumes about regulation in the veterinary profession. It's not dissimilar in Britain. A vet starts with the woo, and may well be convinced of the woo. Then it becomes rude or unprofessional to criticise a colleague's practices, and the woo tendency forms its own professional associations and lobbbies for equality with respectable speciality groups, and before you know where you are nobody can tell the difference between genuine cutting-edge medicine and a pile of BS. Getting actual evidence of malpractice is extraordinarily dificult, as the clients are usually convinced woos themselves and don't have any complaints.

The irony is that a vet is far more likely to be in trouble for failing to follow the detailed prescribing constraints with conventional, licensed pharmaceuticals, than for using something like this.

Personally I'd come down very hard on anyone who was promoting and using something which was way off the evidence-based radar, but that isn't necessarily how politics works.

Rolfe.

 

[Sherman Bay]

I just received a reply from my request for a manual.

Thank you for your interest in the BICOMR 2000, and for contacting us with your question. Unfortunately, our manual is not available except to purchasers of the machine.

We sell the devices only to licensed veterinarians in the U.S. for exclusive use in animal medicine. This is the policy handed down to us from the headquarters in Germany.

I guess they are worried that I might steal their secrets.

I wonder how long until the "evidence based" testimonials from the animals themselves will be published on the site...

They already have before and after pictures. Amazing what a little vibration therapy can do for a dog's coat!