http://whatstheharm.net/ This site documents cases where misinformation combined with a lack of critical thinking has gotten people hurt. Stories of 368,379 people killed, 306,096 injured and over $2,815,931,000 in economic damages. admin@whatstheharm.net Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:50:26 -0500 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1128 http://whatstheharm.net/alternativemedicine.html#beverly_a_wunder whatstheharm.net alternative medicine She was injected with bismuth as an "alternative" treatment for lyme disease. A year later she was dead. Another patient was injured by the same treatment.The doctor surrendered his license and was sentenced to 32 months in prison. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:50:00 -0400 39.047422 -95.681523 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1129 http://whatstheharm.net/numerology.html#lee_mukyiu_2_others whatstheharm.net numerology Belief in numerology is strong in China. This bank employee was caught taking bills with lucky serial numbers after exchanging them with other bills. Although no money was actually stolen, it was considered unethical and he was prosecuted. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:16:00 -0400 22.280235 114.16015 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1130 http://whatstheharm.net/dowsing.html#christine_jessop whatstheharm.net dowsing psychics children When she was abducted, psychics and dowsers flooded the police with tips to her location. Meanwhile a credible eyewitness report of a girl struggling in a car went uninvestigated for weeks. An inquiry concluded the investigation was botched. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:01:00 -0400 44.138771 -79.450575 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1131 http://whatstheharm.net/expertwitnesses.html#guy_paul_morin whatstheharm.net expert witnesses He was convicted of the murder of his 9 year old neighbor on the basis of exaggerated hair and fiber evidence. A DNA test later proved he could not have been the killer. An exhaustive inquiry later examined many flaws in the trial. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:11:00 -0400 44.13681 -79.450069 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1132 http://whatstheharm.net/dowsing.html#russell_ruby_grafton whatstheharm.net dowsing They drove to visit friends on Christmas. Their journey turned into an odyssey. While they were gone, the family turned to a dowser (using a map) to try to find them. The dowser failed, but they turned up fine a few days later. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:32:00 -0400 40.742362 -91.056487 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1133 http://whatstheharm.net/herbalremedies.html#john_kimani_2_others whatstheharm.net herbal remedies When post election violence erupted in Kenya, he abandoned his farm for a refugee camp. In the camp he was given an herbal remedy for "blood purification" and died within minutes. Two others were hospitalized. The herbalist was arrested. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:29:00 -0400 -0.710595 36.439018 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1134 http://whatstheharm.net/internetmisinformation.html#54_hospital_workers_1134 whatstheharm.net internet misinformation Web sites which post instructions for mixing chemicals to commit suicide are common in Japan. A man who used this info vomited in the hospital and 23 patients and 31 staff were sickened by the fumes. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:50:00 -0400 32.799419 130.722783 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1135 http://whatstheharm.net/magick.html#9_deceased_gabon_citizens_1135 whatstheharm.net magick Belief in magic potions and amulets is common here. This has led to grave robbing, as human skulls & bones are used as raw materials. Eight suspects were arrested on charges of grave robbing, and nine skulls were recovered. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:55:00 -0400 0.3858 9.4496 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1136 http://whatstheharm.net/coloncleansing.html#jane_roe_1136 whatstheharm.net scientific studies colon cleansing This case report is of a woman who was diagnosed with pelvic abscesses and other complications six months after having colonic hydrotherapy. These were treated surgically and with antibiotics, and she recovered fully. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:15:00 -0400 -41.306331 174.778898 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1137 http://whatstheharm.net/coloncleansing.html#laverne_burrell_4_others whatstheharm.net colon cleansing Her very first colonic resulted in a severe injury that resulted in her death four months later. Her death and serious injuries to four others resulted in successful prosecutions by the Texas Attorney General. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:36:00 -0400 29.937417 -93.909238 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1138 http://whatstheharm.net/holocaustdenial.html#robert_faurisson whatstheharm.net Holocaust denial This French professor of literature is a Holocaust denier. This is illegal in France. He was removed from his university chair, and later tried under this law and fined €7,500. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:50:00 -0400 45.748151 4.852352 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1139 http://whatstheharm.net/naturopathy.html#steve_crowder_100_others whatstheharm.net naturopathy Steve was paralyzed in a pool accident, his doctors hold out little hope for recovery. He sought out a new therapy from a naturopath in Idaho. It turns out the treatment he was sold was bogus, and the naturopath was later prosecuted. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 10:53:00 -0400 43.58216 -116.573685 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1140 http://whatstheharm.net/internetmisinformation.html#fredrick_t%c3%b6ben whatstheharm.net internet misinformation Holocaust denial He is a former schoolteacher who runs an Australian based website that denies the Holocaust. He was convicted of violating a German law regarding such claims and sentenced to prison. He was also prosecuted in Australia. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:14:00 -0400 49.5111389363386 8.47925074962983 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1141 http://whatstheharm.net/holocaustdenial.html#germar_rudolf whatstheharm.net Holocaust denial After a suspended sentence in 1995 for inciting Anti-Semitic hatred, he fled to the U.S. and fought extradition. He was finally extradited, tried and convicted of Holocaust denial in Germany. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:50:00 -0400 49.5110525860509 8.47882940526761 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1142 http://whatstheharm.net/holocaustdenial.html#david_irving whatstheharm.net Holocaust denial When a book accused him of being a Holocaust denier, he sued for libel. He lost, and was bankrupted by the ruling. He continued to write and speak on the same topics, and was jailed in Austria where this is against the law. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:54:00 -0400 51.51676 -0.125551 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1143 http://whatstheharm.net/herbalremedies.html#jacqueline_jones whatstheharm.net herbal remedies A sample of an herbal treatment for asthma was sent to her house. She tried it and stopped using her medications. Within two days she was in a hospital where she stayed for 6 weeks. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:23:00 -0400 51.768635 -0.341091 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1144 http://whatstheharm.net/alternativemedicine.html#30_london_clinic_patients_1144 whatstheharm.net alternative medicine acupuncture Up to 30 patients were infected with the potentially deadly Hepatitis B virus at a London alternative medicine clinic. They were given an unproven procedure called autohaemotherapy, which is based on acupuncture. The doctor was sent to jail. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:03:00 -0400 51.609016 -0.182366 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1145 http://whatstheharm.net/herbalremedies.html#105_belgian_patients_1145 whatstheharm.net herbal remedies scientific studies This study found 105 patients who had taken a Chinese herbal weight-loss pill that contained Aristolochia. They developed kidney disease and in cases cancer. Aristolochia was later banned in several countries. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:36:00 -0400 50.813414 4.265098 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1146 http://whatstheharm.net/herbalremedies.html#sandra_stay whatstheharm.net herbal remedies She was sold Chinese herbal tablets for her psoriasis for three years. But they contained Aristolochia, which had been banned in England. The herbalist who sold her the tablets was prosecuted. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:46:00 -0400 50.830219 -0.167831 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1147 http://whatstheharm.net/herbalremedies.html#2_british_patients_1147 whatstheharm.net herbal remedies After two documented cases of kidney failure caused by Aristolochia, the Department of Health banned the importation of this Chinese herbal remedy into England. It had earlier been banned in several other countries. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:06:00 -0400 51.506325 -0.127144 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1148 http://whatstheharm.net/conspiracytheories.html#clay_shaw_businessman whatstheharm.net conspiracy theories Famous people The district attorney believed conspiracy theories about the JFK assassination and thought Clay was involved. He was arrested and prosecuted. The jury exonerated him in less than one hour. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:51:00 -0400 29.960071 -90.067898 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1149 http://whatstheharm.net/detoxification.html#pauline_major whatstheharm.net detoxification While on a diet she was advised to drink more and more water, up to 5 liters per day. She had epileptic fits and was hospitalized. She recovered, but still feels the effects years later. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:12:00 -0400 50.3591672933899 -4.50560519412396 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1150 http://whatstheharm.net/herbalremedies.html#kris_humphrey whatstheharm.net herbal remedies She did not believe in traditional medicine. When she became pregnant she took the herbal remedy pennyroyal to induce an abortion. When complications arose, she had to go to the hospital. She went into shock and died. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:18:00 -0400 37.292675 -121.9316 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1151 http://whatstheharm.net/chiropractic.html#eric_sass whatstheharm.net chiropractic Eric is a church youth counselor who is in fantastic physical shape. Following a routine spine & neck adjustment for "wellness" he experienced dizziness, impaired vision and headache. He'd had a stroke. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:21:00 -0400 33.856648 -112.138596 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1152 http://whatstheharm.net/gpsnavigation.html#necdet_bakimci whatstheharm.net GPS navigation He programmed his destination of the Rock of Gibraltar as he left Antakya, Turkey. But because Gibraltar is technically part of the UK, the device routed him to another Gibraltar – a shore town in England. He was 1,600 miles off course. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:26:00 -0400 53.102611 0.325247 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1153 http://whatstheharm.net/cupping.html#oddinge_haagensen whatstheharm.net cupping He had a stiff neck. His doctor tried to treat this with cupping. The alcohol used in the cupping procedure caught fire, and he was burned. He will need treatment for at least a month. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:47:00 -0400 59.911283 10.766807 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1154 http://whatstheharm.net/dowsing.html#us_taxpayers whatstheharm.net dowsing The U.S. Department of Energy spent time and money testing a system called PMRAM that was clearly based on dowsing. The Inspector General investigated and included the technology was "implausible" and the money had been wasted. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:06:00 -0400 38.8870202386355 -77.0265400021169 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1155 http://whatstheharm.net/conspiracytheories.html#gary_mckinnon whatstheharm.net conspiracy theories UFOs This computer expert believes that the U.S. government has captured UFOs and is covering them up. Seeking to expose this, he hacked into computers seeking information. In July 2008 it was ruled he can be extradited to the U.S. to stand trial. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:14:00 -0400 55.857809 -4.242511 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1157 http://whatstheharm.net/coloncleansing.html#36_colorado_patients_1157 whatstheharm.net colon cleansing chiropractic scientific studies This New England Journal of Medicine report is on an outbreak of amebiasis spread by colonic irrigation equipment at a chiropractic clinic in Colorado. Six patients died, thirty others required surgery or hospital care. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:30:00 -0400 39.4513805864809 -107.255128602755 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1158 http://whatstheharm.net/vitaminmegadoses.html#anne_m_adkins whatstheharm.net vitamin megadoses Chelation Therapy colon cleansing naturopathy holistic medicine She traveled to Utah to be treated by a holistic naturopath. She received large doses of vitamin C, chelation therapy and colonics among other things. Within weeks she was suffering from kidney failure. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:32:00 -0400 37.686024 -97.335571 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1159 http://whatstheharm.net/herbalremedies.html#michael_berggren whatstheharm.net herbal remedies This veteran trucker lost control of his truck one morning and died in the accident. An investigation found a rare and powerful tranquilizer in his blood. He had been taking an herbal sleep aid that illegally contained the drug. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:37:00 -0400 56.246029 -118.607588 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1160 http://whatstheharm.net/craniosacraltherapy.html#michael_arditti whatstheharm.net Craniosacral Therapy osteopathy When he had pains at the base of his spine, a friend recommended cranial osteopaths. They treated him for five weeks, and told him he was healed. His pain continued and he was rushed to a hospital where he was diagnosed with a severe infection. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:41:00 -0400 51.512926 -0.106647 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1161 http://whatstheharm.net/ozonetherapy.html#melissa_taylor whatstheharm.net ozone therapy This New Zealand woman travelled to Thailand for a cancer cure involving "ozone therapy." The treatment made her so sick she passed out and was hospitalized. The practitioner had served prison terms in the U.S. She later died. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:57:00 -0400 18.694992 98.78977 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1162 http://whatstheharm.net/gpsnavigation.html#26_california_vacationers_1162 whatstheharm.net GPS navigation Twenty-six friends in four vehicles were travelling in Utah on vacation. After viewing Grosvenor Arch, they used GPS directions to head for Arizona. It led them down unpaved roads and to the edge of a 500 foot cliff. They had to be rescued by police. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:08:00 -0400 37.4551580062448 -111.822803449096 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1163 http://whatstheharm.net/expertwitnesses.html#sally_clark whatstheharm.net expert witnesses An expert testified there was only a "one in 73 million" chance that her two children both died of cot death (aka SIDS), and therefore she must have murdered them. Statisticians later called this number "poor science". She was later exonerated. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:11:00 -0400 53.321163 -2.237698 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1164 http://whatstheharm.net/expertwitnesses.html#angela_cannings whatstheharm.net expert witnesses She was convicted of murdering two of her children based in part on an expert's testimony that multiple SIDS deaths (aka "cot deaths") in one family are very unlikely. She was later exonerated and the expert was disciplined. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:16:00 -0400 51.067399 -1.797626 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1165 http://whatstheharm.net/alternativemedicine.html#john_doe_1165 whatstheharm.net alternative medicine internet misinformation scientific studies He was diagnosed with sinus cancer, and found an alternative cure involving hydrazine sulfate on the internet. He bought it over the net and treated himself. He was hospitalized and died with (among other things) severe liver and kidney damage. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:23:00 -0400 21.329829 -157.852824 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1166 http://whatstheharm.net/repressedmemories.html#katrina_fairlie whatstheharm.net repressed memories She falsely accused her father of rape after "recovered memory" therapy, and it ruined her life. She sued. An settlement for £20,000 was reached with no admission of guilt. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:29:00 -0400 55.87392 -3.989278 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1167 http://whatstheharm.net/childvegetarianism.html#2_canadian_girls_1167 whatstheharm.net child vegetarianism children The father was distraught to find his daughters "as thin as Holocaust victims" under the strict vegan diet administered by his ex-wife. He complained to the Ministry for Children and Families. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:45:00 -0400 49.16438 -123.936657 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1168 http://whatstheharm.net/fengshui.html#lo_puyi whatstheharm.net feng shui As a feng shui expert he believed the banyan, willow and bamboo trees in the adjacent apartment complex were blocking the flow of qi to his house. He cut them down without asking permission. He was sentenced to jail and sued. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:48:00 -0400 25.091075 121.559834 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1169 http://whatstheharm.net/fengshui.html#2_local_government_officials_1169 whatstheharm.net feng shui A magistrate and another official in Shanxi province practiced feng shui to dispel "negative qi" from their offices. This included rebuilding the police station because it blocked a view. They were fired. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:00:00 -0400 37.7 111 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1170 http://whatstheharm.net/fengshui.html#loh_futt_keong whatstheharm.net feng shui The neighbors both believed in feng shui, but didn't get along with each other. When one put a mirror on their house to reflect bad luck, the other did the same and the feud escalated. The argument ended up in the street with one person dead. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:06:00 -0400 6.1105 100.362007 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1171 http://whatstheharm.net/ozonetherapy.html#brendon_johnson whatstheharm.net ozone therapy He travelled to Melbourne and paid AUS $23,000 for six weeks of treatment including ozone therapy. He died a mere three weeks later. The clinic had been investigated in 2005 but somehow remained open. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:14:00 -0400 -37.816221 144.964079 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1172 http://whatstheharm.net/vaccinedenial.html#1600_british_children_1172 whatstheharm.net vaccine denial children In just 2006 and 2007 there were 2,000 cases of measles in the UK. That's more than the previous decade, a surplus of roughly 1,600 cases. The increase is blamed on parents reluctant to vaccinate their children. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:28:00 -0400 54 -2 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1173 http://whatstheharm.net/vaccinedenial.html#131_people_1173 whatstheharm.net vaccine denial children Measles cases reached their worst levels in over a decade in the U.S. in 2008, with 131 cases including 15 serious enough to be hospitalized just in the first half of the year. 90% of these people were not vaccinated against the disease. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:33:00 -0400 33.798466 -84.32584 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1174 http://whatstheharm.net/vitaminmegadoses.html#carol_jean_rubick whatstheharm.net vitamin megadoses herbal remedies After a lumpectomy for her breast cancer, the doctor recommended she forgo chemo and radiation in favor of antioxidants and vitamins in the "Ukraine protocol". Other doctors disagreed, but she went forward. She died of cancer, and her estate sued. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:35:00 -0400 40.75907 -73.969345 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1175 http://whatstheharm.net/chiropractic.html#samantha_cools_athlete whatstheharm.net chiropractic Famous people Her chiropractor over-rotated her neck during a routine adjustment, tearing tendons and muscles. This painful injury even limited her ability to eat, mere weeks before the world championships. She came in fifth, and DNFed at the Olympics. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:38:00 -0400 51.292669 -114.013444 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1176 http://whatstheharm.net/expertwitnesses.html#lindy_michael_chamberlain whatstheharm.net expert witnesses She claimed a dingo took her baby in the night. An expert testified a test indicated blood in the family car, conflicting with her story. Evidence emerged years later which exonerated them. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:04:00 -0400 -25.359597 130.99906 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1177 http://whatstheharm.net/vaccinedenial.html#65_children_1177 whatstheharm.net vaccine denial children Because of parental resistance to vaccinations in this area, an outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) has occurred. This has caused cancellations of events such as the local Little League All Star tournament to contain the outbreak. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:10:00 -0400 47.973893 -122.446733 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1178 http://whatstheharm.net/herbalremedies.html#7_new_york_tea_drinkers_1178 whatstheharm.net herbal remedies scientific studies This case report tells how several people were hospitalized after drinking herbal "Paraguay tea". It was found that the raw leaves had been contaminated with belladonna. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:16:00 -0400 40.71455 -74.007124 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1179 http://whatstheharm.net/facilitatedcommunication.html#josh_johnson whatstheharm.net Facilitated Communication children Josh's parents were contacted by a police detective investigating allegations made through facilitated communication. There was no supporting physical evidence, but the family spent their life savings defending themselves. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:18:00 -0400 32.678131 -83.222931 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1180 http://whatstheharm.net/acupuncture.html#yesim_mckeag whatstheharm.net acupuncture herbal remedies She was told she had a hormonal imbalance and was prescribed acupuncture and herbal remedies for her acne. After several treatments, her skin got worse. A doctor later told her the diagnosis was "nonsense." Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:27:00 -0400 56.031191 -3.397516 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1181 http://whatstheharm.net/psychicsurgery.html#600_canadian_patients_1181 whatstheharm.net psychic surgery He came to Canada from the Philippines, and patients came to him in a hotel room for healing. He was using psychic surgery (actually a slight of hand trick) to take $135 from each of them. Police arrested him and charged him with fraud. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:40:00 -0400 43.782693 -79.237777 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1182 http://whatstheharm.net/naturopathy.html#raj_bathija whatstheharm.net naturopathy He saw a "natural health practitioner" famous for treating celebrities. He was given nutritional advice and massages. Later, he was taken to a hospital where his legs had to be amputated. He is suing the practitioner. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:59:00 -0400 51.519054 -0.149293 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1183 http://whatstheharm.net/exorcisms.html#signifagance_oliver whatstheharm.net exorcisms children Her mother was charged with murder after telling police that she was trying to exorcise the child of demons. The child drowned. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:05:00 -0400 40.835232 -73.942446 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1184 http://whatstheharm.net/witchcraft.html#samuel_edem whatstheharm.net witchcraft He was the head of the development agency for the oil-producing Niger Delta. He spent millions on witchcraft and burnt millions more in rituals to secure his position. He was fired from his job for misuse of funds. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:08:00 -0400 9.058036 7.489061 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1185 http://whatstheharm.net/scientology.html#gregg_housh whatstheharm.net Scientology His name was on the permits for the peaceful Anonymous demonstrations at Scientology in Boston. Because he is one protestor that can be identified by name, the church has filed spurious charges against him including one not enforced since 1806. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:17:00 -0400 42.3515626736583 -71.0872379031592 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1186 http://whatstheharm.net/folkremedies.html#makeisha_dantus whatstheharm.net children folk remedies She was given a mixture of alcohol, salt, water and sugar (a Haitian folk remedy) for fever and diarrhea. She died. Her parents were convicted of child abuse, spent three years in jail, and were ordered to speak to fellow Haitian-Americans about it. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:21:00 -0400 26.137196 -80.128678 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1187 http://whatstheharm.net/ghosts.html#felipe_ochoa_5_friends whatstheharm.net ghosts The were "ghost hunting" on the grounds of an abandoned amusement park. Someone called the police, and they were charged with criminal trespassing. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0400 31.67174663786 -106.256980053514 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1188 http://whatstheharm.net/vaccinedenial.html#190_canadian_children_1188 whatstheharm.net children vaccine denial religious fundamentalism A religious community with a low rate of vaccinations was the source of a mumps outbreak. 116 Confirmed and 74 suspected cases occurred in a region that normally has 10. Mumps is easily preventable via vaccine. Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:37:00 -0400 49.238948 -121.765842 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1189 http://whatstheharm.net/herbalremedies.html#amit_zutshi whatstheharm.net herbal remedies He relied on energy bars and herbal supplements to ensure his nutrition. What he didn’t know was the combination of supplements was unhealthy. His blood pressure and sodium levels were too low and his heart had weakened. He fainted and died suddenly. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:46:00 -0400 37.548615 -121.988479 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1190 http://whatstheharm.net/apocalypsefear.html#chayya_lal whatstheharm.net apocalypse fear children She was traumatized by TV programs about the opening of the Large Hadron Collider, which talked about the end of the world. Her parents told her not to worry and diverted her attention to no avail. She drank a pesticide from her father's farm. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:49:00 -0400 23.57692 76.480728 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1191 http://whatstheharm.net/internetmisinformation.html#united_airlines_shareholders whatstheharm.net internet misinformation A stock analyst misread a six year old online news story as if it were new, and released an advisory. This caused a flurry of trading in which the stock dropped from $12 to $3 in an hour. Trading was halted and the company had to issue a statement. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:55:00 -0400 41.886499 -87.630526 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1192 http://whatstheharm.net/attachmenttherapy.html#jessica_albina_hagmann whatstheharm.net Attachment Therapy children She was adopted from Russia, but had problems adjusting to her new home. Her mother got a book on Attachment Therapy and used the techniques to calm a tantrum. The girl was smothered to death. The mother got probation and a suspended sentence. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0400 38.750911 -77.479997 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1193 http://whatstheharm.net/scientology.html#isaac_hayes_musician whatstheharm.net Famous people Scientology According to Roger Friedman, it was representatives of Scientology that forced him to quit as Chef on "South Park" when the show lampooned the religion. "Isaac's income stream was severely impaired as a result." Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:03:00 -0400 35.115498 -89.754258 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1194 http://whatstheharm.net/alternativemedicine.html#rick_stray whatstheharm.net alternative medicine This artist and mother of two had a lumpectomy for breast cancer, but doctors recommended mastectomy. She chose alternative medicine instead. Her cancer spread and she later died. Her story is told in the film "Naked on the Inside". Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:06:00 -0400 -26.680185 153.073633 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1195 http://whatstheharm.net/satanicritualabuse.html#dale_akiki whatstheharm.net satanic ritual abuse He was accused of ritual abuse of children during 90 minute Sunday school classes. There was no physical evidence and many allegations were physically impossible. He was acquitted of all charges and sued, receiving over $2 million. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:21:00 -0400 32.75011 -116.994304 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1196 http://whatstheharm.net/internetmisinformation.html#jacqui_dean_mp whatstheharm.net Famous people internet misinformation She was fooled by an online hoax that demanded a ban of "dihidrogen monoxide". (This is another name for water). She sent a letter to the Health Ministry asking for an opinion on banning the substance. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:32:00 -0400 -45.282002 169.630997 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1197 http://whatstheharm.net/repressedmemories.html#patricia_burgus whatstheharm.net repressed memories satanic ritual abuse hypnosis She said her therapist convinced her she had repressed memories of being part of a satanic cult by using hypnosis and other techniques. She eventually received $10.6 million in a settlement. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:10:00 -0400 41.873907 -87.671134 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1198 http://whatstheharm.net/fengshui.html#tak_ping_yeung whatstheharm.net feng shui His landlord needed him to move his shop to a nearby location. He sued because the new location did not have as good 'feng shui' as the existing one. He lost and had to pay £40,000 in court costs. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:23:00 -0400 51.512067 -0.130322 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1199 http://whatstheharm.net/chiropractic.html#mrs_a whatstheharm.net chiropractic This mother of two saw a chiropractor for relief from headaches. After the fourth visit, she felt dizzy, lost sight in one eye and could not concentrate. This was caused by a stroke. A government commission recommended the chiropractor apologize. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:06:00 -0400 -41.277033 174.779281 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1200 http://whatstheharm.net/naturopathy.html#jane_doe_1200 whatstheharm.net naturopathy energy medicine She felt a lump in her breast and turned to her local naturopath. He used an energy machine to diagnose it as non-cancerous, and maintained this as it grew to 24cm in size. When she finally saw a doctor, it was too late. His license was revoked. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:34:00 -0400 49.4792348092176 8.49271686971643 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1201 http://whatstheharm.net/internetmisinformation.html#apple_computer_shareholders whatstheharm.net internet misinformation When a "citizen journalist" posted a report on a CNN-affiliated website that Apple CEO Steve Jobs had suffered a heart attack, the value of the company's stock dropped as much as 11% but later recovered slightly. The SEC launched a probe into this. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:46:00 -0400 37.331684 -122.030661 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1202 http://whatstheharm.net/cults.html#mohamed_ibrahim_kader_mydin_rosina_mydin_pillay whatstheharm.net cults rituals They were visiting family members when a male relative suggested their habit of smoking (and other ills) could be cured by being ritually beaten. The beating resulted in their deaths and several injuries, and many family members were arrested. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:49:00 -0400 3.15021 101.707703 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1203 http://whatstheharm.net/alternativemedicine.html#elizabeth_orchard whatstheharm.net alternative medicine Suffering from blurred vision, bleeding from her breasts and memory loss, she was diagnosed as a hypochondriac by her doctor. Instead he put her on HGH (illegal here) as an anti-ageing regimen. A later scan showed she was "riddled" with tumours. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:03:00 -0400 -27.945707 153.353643 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1204 http://whatstheharm.net/astrology.html#alang_town_india whatstheharm.net astrology After an astrological prediction of a planetary alignment that would cause a devastating cyclone, over 60,000 workers fled this port town in fear. This caused the ship-breaking yard there to shut down at a loss of up to $60 million. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:11:00 -0400 21.422952 72.208249 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1205 http://whatstheharm.net/homeopathy.html#katie_ross whatstheharm.net children homeopathy She was suffering from colitis but her mother chose to treat it homeopathically. She was down to 50 pounds when child services intervened. She was hospitalized and her colon had to be surgically removed. A judge ruled neglect. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:13:00 -0400 36.233049 -115.242288 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1206 http://whatstheharm.net/witchcraft.html#13_soccer_fans_1206 whatstheharm.net children witchcraft A football club was losing to its local rivals. The goalkeeper incated some “fetishist” spells to weaken the opposing team. Many in this country believe in witchcraft, and the subsequent riot left 13 dead and others injured. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:19:00 -0400 0.1379 29.2879 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1207 http://whatstheharm.net/vaccinedenial.html#daniel_rae whatstheharm.net children vaccine denial He was vaccinated against pertussis, but vaccines are never 100% effective. He caught the disease from an unvaccinated playmate. "He was as sick as any child I've ever seen," his mother said, and he had to take drugs for four years to recover. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:22:00 -0400 34.423403 -119.704416 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1208 http://whatstheharm.net/ozonetherapy.html#leslie_bramston whatstheharm.net ozone therapy herbal remedies vitamin megadoses Seeking a cure for her cancer, she was sold vitamin and herbal treatments for thousands of dollars. Finally she was injected with cesium chloride as part of an ozone therapy, and she died. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:30:00 -0400 -12.461334 130.841904 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1209 http://whatstheharm.net/rituals.html#13_family_members_1209 whatstheharm.net rituals herbal remedies All but two members of this family died when they were administered a deadly herbal concoction during a cleansing ritual by a 17 year old trainee healer. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:37:00 -0400 -30.7596 30.24855 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1210 http://whatstheharm.net/gpsnavigation.html#bo_bai whatstheharm.net GPS navigation He followed an instruction to turn right from his GPS putting him on a train track in front of an oncoming train. The resulting accident destroyed his rental car and delayed commuters for hours. He was ticketed was to be held liable for costs. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:47:00 -0400 41.22678 -73.716596 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1211 http://whatstheharm.net/gpsnavigation.html#jose_silva whatstheharm.net GPS navigation He said "he did what he was told" by his GPS and his car ended up stuck on the same train tracks as Bo Bai nine months earlier. A commuter train hit the car and hundreds of commuters were delayed. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:49:00 -0400 41.226829 -73.716723 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1212 http://whatstheharm.net/nigerianemails.html#janella_spears whatstheharm.net Nigerian emails She says she wasn't a sucker or easy mark, but she was curious about an email concerning large sum of money and an alleged lost relative. Over two years, she lost thousands and now is in debt. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:37:00 -0500 44.401705 -122.706015 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1213 http://whatstheharm.net/nigerianemails.html#michael_axel whatstheharm.net Nigerian emails In the midst of allegedly embezzling money from his own clients, this stockbroker received an email from someone claiming to have an inheritance for him. He lost $400,000 to the fraud scheme. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:57:00 -0500 40.756054 -73.986951 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1214 http://whatstheharm.net/alternativemedicine.html#jane_doe_1214 whatstheharm.net alternative medicine children multi-level marketing She had been sick for weeks. Her father distrusted conventional medicine and was feeding her an alternative cure sold through a mutli-level marketing program. She actually had a heart infection. The father was sentenced to six months in jail. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:00:00 -0500 -27.46758 153.027892 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1215 http://whatstheharm.net/chiropractic.html#john_hoffman whatstheharm.net chiropractic His wife found him collapsed in their stairwell. He had had a chiropractic adjustment 3 hours earlier. His stroke was ruled to have been caused by the adjustment. He died 6 days later. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:05:00 -0500 39.128577 -77.237514 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1216 http://whatstheharm.net/faithhealing.html#alex_dale_morris whatstheharm.net children faith healing religious fundamentalism He had fever and congestion. Members of his church anointed him with oil and laid hands upon him, praying for 46 days. A medical examiner later said the boy would have been "overwhelmed with fever and pain" and basic antibiotics would have cured him. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:21:00 -0500 45.326016 -122.581729 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1217 http://whatstheharm.net/folkremedies.html#51_african_patients_1217 whatstheharm.net scientific studies folk remedies This study of 78 patients in a South African hospital suffering from kidney failure who had recently used folk remedies, found that in the majority of cases the folk remedy itself was the most likely cause. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:29:00 -0500 -26.261139 27.942997 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1218 http://whatstheharm.net/faithhealing.html#jacqueline_k_beagley_her_baby whatstheharm.net faith healing home childbirth religious fundamentalism She was in labor for four days. She died of a massive infection after rupture of the fetal membrane. Authorities said she would have survived if she had delivered in a hospital. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:37:00 -0500 45.325899 -122.58167 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1219 http://whatstheharm.net/internetmisinformation.html#marcia_bergeron whatstheharm.net internet misinformation alternative medicine She distrusted conventional medicine, so she decided to self-medicate using pills purchased from a Canadian online pharmacy. What she didn't know was the pharmacy was not actually Canadian and the pills were tainted with toxic heavy metals. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:42:00 -0500 50.150596 -125.2643865 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1220 http://whatstheharm.net/hivaidsdenial.html#365000_south_african_aids_patients_1220 whatstheharm.net scientific studies HIV/AIDS denial A study by Harvard researchers estimates that if the South African government had abandoned its President's AIDS denialist policies and provided antiretroviral drugs, it could have prevented 365,000 premature deaths. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:55:00 -0500 -30.559482 22.937506 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1221 http://whatstheharm.net/hivaidsdenial.html#christine_maggiore whatstheharm.net HIV/AIDS denial She denied that HIV caused AIDS and refused to take medications for her herself or give them to her children. Her daughter Eliza Jane Scovill died in 2005, and she died in 2008. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:02:00 -0500 34.18666 -118.448708 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1222 http://whatstheharm.net/witchcraft.html#jane_doe_1222 whatstheharm.net witchcraft A woman was bound and gagged and set on fire because villagers suspected her of being a witch. Authorities say 50 people were killed in similar fashion here last year. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:42:00 -0500 -5.90239 144.1435 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1223 http://whatstheharm.net/naturopathy.html#john_doe_1223 whatstheharm.net naturopathy homeopathy He was injected with a mineral solution by his homeopath/naturopath. He died the next day of a heart attack, and it was ruled a homicide. The naturopath faces charges. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:15:00 -0500 45.486791 -73.59443 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1224 http://whatstheharm.net/herbalremedies.html#li_guoxing whatstheharm.net herbal remedies After being mauled by a bear, he received a rare face transplant operation. His doctors prescribed immune-suppressing drugs, but he refused them in favor of herbal remedies. He died two years after the operation, and his family refused an autopsy. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:36:00 -0500 25.0438442 102.704567 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1225 http://whatstheharm.net/exorcisms.html#amora_bain_carson whatstheharm.net children exorcisms They believed the child was possessed and tried to rid her of demons. They allegedly bludgeoned her and bit her more than 20 times. She died. Her mother and a man were arrested and held on $2 million bond. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:48:00 -0500 32.153212 -94.796809 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1226 http://whatstheharm.net/homeopathy.html#russell_jenkins whatstheharm.net homeopathy alternative medicine After stepping on an electric plug, he self-treated the wound on his foot using honey on the advice of his homeopath. A diabetic, his foot became gangrenous. He died, but doctors said if he'd sought help just 2 hours earlier he could have been saved. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:05:00 -0500 50.791651 -1.0785597 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1227 http://whatstheharm.net/religiousfundamentalism.html#rubel_sheikh whatstheharm.net religious fundamentalism He and his mother traveled 30 miles to a shrine to a Muslim saint. The tradition is to offer food to the crocodiles in the pond and to bathe in the water. When he waded into the water, he was attacked by the crocodile and killed. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:26:00 -0500 22.6583 89.7584 whatstheharm.net.case.number.1228 http://whatstheharm.net/vaccinedenial.html#5_minnesota_infants_1228 whatstheharm.net children vaccine denial The largest outbreak of Hib meningitis in this state since 1992 has occurred among several infants who were unvaccinated due to parental refusal. One infant died, several others were injured. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:37:00 -0500 44.943829 -93.093326