This is first in an upcoming series of articles stemming from discussions on Homeopathy within the IISc Career Support Group (a FB group).
BACKGROUND: The recent statement from Nobel laureate Prof. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan that Homeopathy is bogus was disliked and received with skepticism by a majority of people. The main reason invoked was that we still do not know much about the world we live in, so we do not know how homeopathic medicines work. Another one was that it has been here for a long time. Therefore, it should be working. Having millions of followers was also a reason for skepticism. A major reason was also that many people have personal experiences of success with homeopathic cures. Finally there was also something that is common to all forms of Pseudoscience- skepticism stemming from cultural aspects. In the case of homeopathy it took many forms. One, there is a conspiracy by successful groups or nations or cultures. In the case of Homeopathy, the Big Pharma selling allopathy drugs and “western culture”-although Homeopathy began in Germany- are conspiring against it. Two, one should not question a “belief system” (in this case homeopathy) because it is contrary to another belief system (allopathy). Three, Prof. Venkatraman was insensitive when making those remarks. None of the above should be a yardstick to ask whether something belongs in the realm of science.
It is difficult to cope with evidences that could negate ones own perceptions. It is also difficult to reconcile cultural beliefs with rational thoughts. However, in the grand scheme of scientific advancement, it is important that we as trained scientists take a stance against pseudoscience and debunk it. This series of articles attempts to rationally discuss whether Homeopathy belongs in the realm of real science. Although it has been successful as a discipline for a long time, Homeopathy has also been controversial as its basic tenets contradict both common sense and fundamental laws of the physical world that cannot be violated. Although it contributed some ideas to pharmacology and immunology in their early stages, while the other subjects moved on and grew in strength with solid theoretical frameworks and testable hypotheses, homeopathy lags behind in that respect 220 years since its inception. Homeopathy still does not have a solid theoretical framework that does not violate known physical and chemical laws and does not negate common sense.
For some time, homeopathy has been seeking science’s permission for legitimacy, evidenced by publications that support efficacy of homeopathic medicines and patents that protect intellectual property related to homeopathic medicines. Therefore, the big question is whether homeopathy is based on scientific method. One should also ask whether one should accept theoretical principles that are contrary to everything else that is known up till now? If one has to consider those principles, is there evidence in support of them? Because many aspects of life are still a mystery, are the current advancements in our understanding of the physical world sufficient or not to consider a place for a questionable and controversial practice in the realm of science? If the original tenets of Homeopathy are wrong, can we dig up something contemporary and solid in support of Homeopathy that does not contradict the physical world? If so, what could be that mystical aspect that would make homeopathy tick? The answers to these questions will address whether Homeopathy is bogus or not.
One could enjoy a garden that is beautiful without asking or believing about fairies at the bottom of it. However, when it is claimed that fairies at the bottom make the garden tick, the fairies and the garden are seeking scientific legitimacy. In that spirit, I welcome you to read, comment, debate and reach your own conclusions from the articles in this series.
About the author: Dr Syam Anand, PhD (Indian Institute of Science, IISc; Post-Doctoral research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Faculty, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Founder and US Patent Agent, Mainline Intellectual Property LLC, Ardmore, Philadelphia USA), has over 20 years experience in diverse areas of Science with domain knowledge in Life Sciences and Intellectual Property. Dr. Anand is also an inventor and budding entrepreneur. A rationalist, Dr. Anand enjoys science at all levels and advocates the use of scientific methods for answering all questions and solving all problems and make common people curious and interested in understanding their worlds.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/syamprasadanand
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