Is Iridology a diagnostic tool?
No, Iridology is a tool that looks for genetics predispositions, it's not a science, nor a diagnostic tool. So it's no surprise if an Iridologist is unable to diagnose a medical condition using Iridology.
Iridology has been labeled as a fraud by the medical community, but that doesn't means it cannot be applied successfully by a practitioner who knows its limitations. This technique is not regulated, hence not recognized by any Government, so finding a 'qualified practitioner' may look like finding the Unicorn.
It's also true that anyone reading a book on Iridology today, can play as an Iridologist the day after, and this largely contribute to the 'creative' claims we often see floating around about Iridology.
But things are not so bad as they seems.
As an Agile Coach and ND, before jumping to conclusions, I think we'd try to approach any given problem from different perspectives, staying open-mind, accepting to test our assumptions, and even if we're skeptical, trying to look at the big-picture [1] , and at the economic view [2] of the problem, as the principles of Scaled Agile, or SAFe suggest. [3]
After all, if we look at some of the 'emeritus' scientists and medical researchers, we find many 'creative' claims there too, that eventually led to an impressive number of casualties worldwide.
For example, DDT (a trichloroethane), was a pesticide developed by Monsanto in the 1950s, and it was sold as safe for humans and the environment. 10 years later, it was withdrawn from the market, due to mounting evidence of its carcinogenic effects on humans. [4]
While science is in general able to predict a measurable result, the application of a scientific method in medicine requires a physician, and this may introduce errors. A 2016 study, found that in US the 3rd leading cause of death was due to medical error including wrong diagnosis.[17] According to the World Health Organization, globally 40% of patients are harmed in primary health care, with most errors related to diagnosis, and wrong prescriptions. [18]
In 2019 the global revenue of the pharma industry was $1,250 billion [9], whereas the global market of alternative medicine was at $69.2 billion [10]. If we compare these values, the pharma industry is approximately 18 times bigger. In 2017, cash and hospitality given by the pharmaceutical industry to doctors, has increased to more than £116 million a year, despite a drive to make the practice more transparent. [12]
A key factor for any business is to sell, and the pharmaceutical industry is no exception. In a pharmacy shop we can usually buy Homeopathic remedies, though Homeopathy has been banned as ineffective in UK and other countries [8]. Many drugs have been sold as safe in US, until the FDA (federal drug administration), recalled them from the market because of their adverse effects. These adverse effects include: heart attack, stroke, and death. The drugs pulled from the market include: Valdecoxib, Pemoline, Bromfenac, Rofecoxib, Isotretinoin, Sibutramine, Troglitazone, and Efalizumab. [15]
The global healthcare market in 2019 was estimated as $11.9 trillion.[13]
Being part of the practices used in Natural Medicine, Iridology rely on natural therapies like Nutrition and Lifestyle in order to re-establish Homeostasis, or the natural balance in body and mind that support optimal health in the individual. This is also what the World Health Organization suggest in order to prevent many diseases: adopt a balanced nutrition, and lifestyle. [19]
If we assume that nutrition and lifestyle alone could improve or prevent just 10% of common diseases, this means more than a trillion dollar saved every year. Though the cost saving is even more, if we consider collateral, like visits, travels, assistance, and days-off from work.
The modern culture of 'taking a pill to fix the problem', is in deep contrast with the principles of Natural Medicine that focus on the root cause of the disease. As a result of managing symptoms,antibiotic resistance and addiction to painkillers have become a global issue. [11][16] Natural Medicine value human interactions, empathy, respect, and requires passion, and dedication above all professional qualifications. So a medical doctor practicing Natural Medicine, doesn't become automatically better than a natural doctor.
Unfortunately Wikipedia's articles on Natural Medicine and Iridology are quite assertive, and retricted for editing. [21] Wiki is slightly biased towards the medical lobby, and you won't find the opportunity to share a fully impartial article, that promote understanding, improvement, and open discussions on these topics.
The bottom line, is to trust our doctor, and see if the prescription works to re-establish homeostasis, and our strength in the long-term. If not, then it's no surprise when people look elsewhere. At Fempton Institute, we form Natural Doctors, and we published the Manifesto of Natural Medicine, to promote human values in medicine. [20]
[1] System-Thinking
https://www.scaledagileframework.com/apply-systems-thinking/
[2] Economic View
https://www.scaledagileframework.com/take-an-economic-view/
[3] Scaled Agile
https://www.scaledagileframework.com
[4] DDT
https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/ddt-brief-history-and-status
[8] Homeopathy https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/homeopathy/#:~:text=In%202017%2C%20NHS%20England%20recommended,remedies%20are%20available%20from%20pharmacies.
[9] Market of global pharmaceutical industry
https://www.statista.com/topics/1764/global-pharmaceutical-industry
[10] Market of complementary alternative medicine https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/complementary-alternative-medicine-market#:~:text=The%20global%20complementary%20and%20alternative,immense%20popularity%20across%20developed%20countries.
[11] Painkillers in drug addiction
https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/painkillers-fuel-growth-in-drug-addiction
[12] Big-Pharma on cash-hospitality https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/30/big-pharma-cash-hospitality-doctors-rises-one-three-refuses/
[13] Global Healthcare Market https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190625005862/en/11.9-Trillion-Global-Healthcare-Market-Key-Opportunities
[14] Google AI breast-cancer detection https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/google-ai-breast-cancer-artificial-intelligence-deepmind-healthcare-a9267081.html
[15] 10 dangerous drugs recalled by FDA
https://www.mdlinx.com/article/10-dangerous-drugs-recalled-by-the-fda/lfc-4008
[16] Antibiotic resistance
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antibiotic-resistance
[17] Global medical errors
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_error#cite_note-BMJ-3
[18] Patient safety
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/patient-safety
[19] https://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/trs916/summary/en/#:~:text=Risk%20of%20their%20main%20forms,physical%20activity%20and%20controlling%20weight.
[20] www.fempton.com
[21] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturopathy
