Reply #2: consumer choice

[Celebration]

Studies take money and people with the mindset to do them. Therefore scientific studies are done generally when required--for FDA approval of drugs, for example. People who do research generally do it because of large grants that they get through their universities. Only large drug companies who have patented medications can afford that. Studies that are done outside of that paradigm are hit and miss, and scattered, and depend on someone's great interest in the subject, and may take time and finances.

So, there can be quite a long lag time between when something is introduced and when it is "proven." During this time it is generally labelled alternative.

As with all other purchases, we trust consumers to know what they want. Someone may purchase five reiki treatments rather than buying a new cell phone. So? That is the free market system at work. Nobody is forcing anyone to turn to alternative treatments. It is just another consumer choice, or non-choice. People make money doing all kinds of things.

Anyone who advertises a product falsely is subject to being prosecuted for fraud--there are laws in place that take care of fraud.