We discuss science communication by the ECDC re vaccinations and have some listener feedback about Dr Who, before with dive into TWISH which this week is about a pioneer of modern chemistry, Martin Heinrich Klaproth. Then of course, there’s the news:

• INTERNATIONAL: E-trade via dropshipping – the scam has many levels
• UK: ChatGPT’s dangerous mental health guidance raises skeptical red flags
• SWEDEN: So-called ‘virginity checks’ now finally illegal
• TÜRKIYE: Case study shows risks with chiropractic

The Green alliance in Germany reverses their stance on homeopathy thanks to the work by Cedrik Schamberger and for that, he deserves the Really Right Award. Well done!

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Right; Quote; Outro; Outtakes
 
0:00:27 INTRO

0:00:51 GREETINGS

• ECDC’s fight against vaccine misinformation
  • ECDC: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/ecdc-updates-its-key-facts-vaccine-effectiveness-and-safety-and-how-vaccines-used-eu
• Listener Feedback: Dr Who on Swedish television

0:13:12 TWISH – THIS WEEK IN SKEPTICAL HISTORY

• 1 December 1743: Birth of Martin Heinrich Klaproth, pioneer of modern chemistry
  • Riveste: https://riviste.fupress.net/index.php/subs/article/download/2125/1549/15980

0:28:01 NEWS

• INTERNATIONAL: E-trade via dropshipping – the scam has many levels
  • Sydsvenskan: https://www.sydsvenskan.se/naringsliv/tiktokprofiler-lovar-lyx-och-miljoner-pa-e-handel-elever-gar-i-konkurs/
• UK: ChatGPT’s dangerous mental health guidance raises skeptical red flags
  • the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/30/chatgpt-dangerous-advice-mentally-ill-psychologists-openai
• SWEDEN: So-called ‘virginity checks’ now finally illegal
  • Humanisterna: https://humanisterna.se/nyheter/antligen-ar-oskuldskontroller-ett-brott/
• TÜRKIYE: Case study shows risks with chiropractic
  • Edzard Ernst: https://edzardernst.com/2025/12/acute-spinal-epidural-hematoma-a-serious-complication-of-chiropractic-therapy/

0:51:10 REALLY RIGHT

• Really Right: Cedrik Schamberger convinces German Green party to pledge to stopping reimbursement of homeopathy
  • Edzard Ernst: https://edzardernst.com/2025/12/a-change-of-mind-the-german-green-party-is-now-against-the-reimbursement-of-homeopathy/
  • Cedrik Schamberger: https://cedrik-schamberger.de/

0:55:21 QUOTE AND FAREWELL

“Even mistaken hypotheses and theories are of use in leading to discoveries. This remark is true in all the sciences. The alchemists founded chemistry by pursuing chimerical problems and theories which are false. In physical science, which is more advanced than biology, we might still cite men of science who make great discoveries by relying on false theories. It seems, indeed, a necessary weakness of our mind to be able to reach truth only across a multitude of errors and obstacles.”
/ Claude Bernard (12 July 1813 – 10 February 1878), French physiologist.
The quote is from his book ‘An Introduction to the Study of Experimental Medicine’ (1865, translation 1927, 1957), 170. /

0:56:50 OUTRO

0:58:13 OUT-TAKES