Madam, - Dick Taverne bases his article of March 18th ("Homeopathy is nonsense and organic food claims unproven") on two false assumptions.
Firstly, he assumes that everything yields to the rigours of the Western scientific method and that the only truth is what has been proven by science. But we know that science constantly plays catch-up with our beliefs, proving some and disproving others.
Current scientific knowledge cannot therefore provide the basis for categorically accepting or rejecting beliefs at any particular time.
Secondly, he assumes that scientific truth is never compromised by economic forces. But we know for sure that this is not the case.
Pharmaceutical drugs are being brought to market in record time, with no onus on their manufacturers to publish negative clinical data. Commercial considerations take precedence over consumer safety. At every turn truth is compromised - including scientific truth. - Yours, etc.,
ERICA MURRAY,
Lower Churchtown Road,
Dublin 14.
Madam, - Dick Taverne claims that "homeopathy is nonsense on stilts" and nothing more than a placebo effect. How does he explain that our infant son's asthma disappeared after a week (tuberculinum), that a bang on his head brought up no bump or bruising (arnica), or how an upset stomach was calmed (nux vomica)? Placebo by proxy? Perhaps, but I think not - homeopathy has been shown to work on animals.
The trouble with scientific enquiry is that a phenomenon such as the homeopathic effect cannot be conveniently pigeonholed and is therefore rubbished. Call me unscientific, but it works, and that is good enough for me. - Yours, etc.,
MARK ARMSTRONG,
Eden Park Drive,
Dublin 14.