Cartoonist Pertti Jarla (left) and pseudoscience critic James Randi “attempting mass suicide” in Hakaniemi Market place.

The Finnish association of skeptics’ stunt to demonstrate the inefficacy of homeopathic medicines did not result in any fatalities, the national daily Helsingin Sanomat reports.

“A group of self-identified sceptics staged a homeopathic “mass suicide attempt” in Helsinki on Wednesday 9 June. About seven activists of the association Skepsis ry knocked back eight bottles of homeopathic medicines during the stunt.

Among them were cartoonist Pertti Jarla and American sceptic and pseudoscience critic James Randi.

One of the products contained, for example, arsenic diluted one thousand times. The sceptics wanted to demonstrate that even when homeopathic medicines are overdosed on they do not cause an observable physical reaction because they contain such a low concentration of active ingredients.

The organisers had, however, called an ambulance to stand by. According to the chairman of Skepsis Pertti Laine, this was primarily a precaution for dealing with symptoms of rapidly rising blood sugar levels. Sugar is used as a binding agent in homeopathic medicines.

Homeopath and pharmacist Onerva Pekkonen, from whose pharmacy the medicines were purchased, was also present. She was amused by the stunt and reassured that the medicines are not lethal.”

HELSINGIN SANOMAT 9 June
LEHTIKUVA - Antti aimo-Koivisto