Pseudoscientific "argument"
Homebirth advocate share some of the favorite "arguments" of other pseudosciences. One of these is described by Dr. Richard Dawkins in his recent review of a book about creationism, perhaps the premier pseudoscience in contemporary America:"Two rival theories, A and B, are set up. Theory A explains loads of facts and is supported by mountains of evidence. Theory B has no supporting evidence, nor is any attempt made to find any. Now a single little fact is discovered, which A allegedly can't explain. Without even asking whether B can explain it, the default conclusion is fallaciously drawn: B must be correct.Incidentally, further research usually reveals that A can explain the phenomenon after all ..."Homebirth advocates have their own variation:
Two rival approaches, modern obstetrics and homebirth are set up. Modern obstetrics explains loads of facts, is supported by mountains of evidence, and has dramatically reduced both neonatal and maternal mortality rates. Homebirth has virtually no supporting evidence, nor is any attempt made to find any, and is not responsible for any discoveries, devices or procedures that have saved any lives. Now an error in the history of modern obstetrics is discovered. Without even asking whether homebirth advocates understood the error at the time or whether they discovered the solution, the default conclusion is fallaciously drawn: homebirth must be correct. Incidentally, further investigation reveals that the "error" in modern obstetrics was not really an error afterall.Take Semmelweis for example. For some strange reason, homebirth advocates think that the story of Semmelweis and puerperal sepsis tells us something about homebirth. The error is that prior to the discovery of the germ theory of disease, doctors spread infections by proceding from autopsies to live patients without washing their hands.
Did homebirth midwives know about hand washing? No.
Did homebirth midwives understand the germ theory of disease. No.
Did homebirth midwives perhaps discover the germ theory of disease and correct the error of the doctors? No.
How did homebirth midwives learn about the germ theory of disease and the importance of handwashing? Doctors told them.
Incidentally, further investigation reveals that this was not an error of modern obstetrics at all. Modern obstetrics did not come into being until after the discovery of the germ theory of disease and after the introduction of anesthesia. So the fact that doctors in the mid 19th century did not wash their hands tells us nothing about anything.
Pointing out a spurious error or even a real error of modern obstetrics tells us nothing about whether the premises of homebirth advocacy are true. Moreover, it tells us nothing about whether homebirth is as safe as contemporary hospital birth. It is yet another form of faulty argument used to support homebirth.
Labels: pseudoscience
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