Pseudoscience - News
Homeopath, wife jailed over baby's death
They watched her skin bleed, her hair go white and her small frame shrink as their baby girl fought to battle her eczema.
They watched her constantly scream out in pain, her sores weeping through tears in her skin, and the corneas in her eyes melt.
And in the end, by not seeking proper medical treatment until it was too late, a homeopath and his wife watched nine-month-old Gloria Mary die.
Thomas Sam, 42, and his wife Manju, 37, sobbed in the dock in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday as they were each handed custodial sentences for the manslaughter of their eczema-stricken daughter.
Thomas Sam was sentenced to at least six years in jail, with a maximum sentence of eight years. Additional consideration was given to the fact he was treating his young daughter.
Manju Sam was given a maximum five years and four months, with a non-parole period of four years.
The tertiary-educated couple were accused of "gross criminal negligence" by failing to get appropriate treatment, instead mainly relying on homeopathic remedies.
Gloria was malnourished despite being properly fed, with all nutrition going into coping with her severe eczema.
She died in Sydney in May 2002 from an infection her body could not fight.
In handing down the sentences on Monday, Justice Peter Johnson said Thomas Sam's "arrogant approach" to his preference for homeopathy above conventional medicine and Manju Sam's deference to her husband, led to Gloria's death.
A "very wide chasm" lay between how they had acted and how any other reasonable parent would have acted, Justice Johnson said.
"The offences did not involve an isolated act or omission but rather a prolonged, sustained and deliberate decision by each offender ... not to seek proper medical attention for Gloria over a very substantial period of time," he said.
"Gloria was subjected to significant pain over an extended period of time and the omission of the offenders to seek proper assistance for her may be characterised accurately as cruelty.
"Each offender fell profoundly short of their parental obligations to their infant daughter."
Despite recommendations as early as October 2001, the Sams had refused to take her to see a specialist.
Instead they took her to India for more homeopathic treatment, despite being told by doctors that to do so would be "cruel" to Gloria.
And following their return to Australia - on board a plane where fellow passengers described the child as "screaming constantly" and "inconsolable" - for nine "critical" days, the pair did nothing.
On the ninth day, concerned about a lingering eye infection, the Sams took their daughter to the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick.
Doctors described Gloria as "incredibly sick" with a "massive eroded rash" and "grossly malnourished".
They gave her morphine for the pain and began treating her eye infection - her corneas were melting.
But it was too late - Gloria died three days later.
Doctors said she had been malnourished for months and in severe pain for weeks.
"Gloria's body was worn down and ultimately worn out," the judge said.
"This is not a case of a hidden condition going untreated and ultimately causing death.
"Rather this case involves an accumulation of obvious health problems which, whilst not properly treated, saw the child descending towards death."
With time already served, Thomas Sam will be eligible for release on July 1, 2015.
Manju Sam was taken into custody and will be eligible for release on September 27, 2013.
USA Still Riddled in Superstition Despite Obama
From the Skeptical Enquirer newsletter - April 2009
President Obama has declared that U.S. science policy will no longer be dictated by myths and beliefs. I can almost hear the collective cry of "It's about time!" from all of our supporters.
The President says science policy is going to be about "ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda—and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology." I can't begin to express my happiness when I hear that the president has joined our cause. We need to take hold of this opportunity to promote scientific inquiry and critical thinking in America's classrooms and in its public policy. But that means we need your help!
You might be wondering—is there really that much work to still be done? A recent Harris Poll (Forbes, March 9, 2009) found that of those Americans surveyed:
- 31% said they think astrology is "very" or "sort of" scientific
- 44% believe in ghosts
- 31% believe in witches
- 33% said they believe intelligent beings from other planets have visited the United States
They also found that "around a quarter of us are superstitious about knocking on wood, 13 percent about a black cat crossing a path, 12 percent about walking under a ladder, 11 percent about breaking a mirror, 9 percent about the number 13—and 9 percent of respondents believed that speaking ill of a person makes it come true." These statistics may seem ludicrous, even comical, to us; but unexamined belief in pseudoscience, fantastic claims, and irrational superstitions can cause larger systemic problems in society.
In another survey, Gallup (Digital Journal, Feb 12, 2009) asked Americans "Do you, personally, believe in the theory of evolution, do you not believe in evolution, or don’t you have an opinion either way?"
- 39% responded they believe in evolution
- 36% responded they have no opinion on the subject
- 25% responded they do not believe in evolution
Why should we be concerned if other people believe in astrology, ghosts, or intelligent design? Many of the people holding these beliefs are powerful leaders in our culture. These leaders influence the educational and cultural standards for everyone else. Statistics like these—and what they portend for the future of our society—make the work of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry more important than ever. We need to support the work of the president and help foster a commitment to science that will last for many generations to come.