Dragons' Den (UK Shark Tank): BBC defends show after ME criticism of Acu Seeds quackery

[muriel_volestrangler]

The BBC has defended the inclusion of a wellness business in Dragons' Den after complaints from health groups.

Campaigners for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) complained the show promoted "unfounded" claims that a product could help the condition.

Businesswoman Giselle Boxer said her Acu Seeds product helped aid her recovery from ME.
...
The groups said that, as the episode was aired in primetime on BBC One, they were concerned that a larger audience would have heard the pitch which they alleged "amounts to an unfounded claim that this form of alternative medicine can cure ME".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68097756

Looks like it's inspired by phrenology and reflexology:


Never should have been allowed on screen. The BBC shat the bed on this. Before the criticism poured in, then even ran an uncritical promotion of it on their website ("The BBC said products being featured on the programme should not be seen as an endorsement of them", but that webpage really does look like an endorsement)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-68028447 ("Ms Boxer, who worked for advertising agency before starting her business" - ah, so she's well-practised in bullshitting).

[progressoid]

1. Wait...wut? Ear seeds?

Good god. And then they all offered her investment money too!