Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy - Homeowatch

Evidence Check 2: Homeopathy 17water, the water molecules will form structures around the solute molecules; but thehydrogen bonds between water molecules are far too weak and short-lived to hold thatstructure once the solute has been removed. It is not surprising that experiments that claimto have demonstrated the memory of water have failed to be reproducible. 68 The notionthat water could hold imprints of solutions previously dissolved in it is so far removedfrom current scientific understanding that, as Professor David Colquhoun, Professor ofPharmacology at UCL, put it: “If homeopathy worked the whole of chemistry and physicswould have to be overturned”. 69 Professor Jayne Lawrence, Chief Scientific Adviser to theRPSGB, put it a little less dramatically:I think it probably would be revolutionary if homeopathy was proved to be right,because it does go against a lot of fundamental understanding of science as it standsat the moment. 7060. Even if water could retain a memory of previously dissolved substances we know of noexplanation for why the sugar-based homeopathic pills routinely dispensed would retainsuch a memory.61. We consider the notion that ultra-dilutions can maintain an imprint of substancespreviously dissolved in them to be scientifically implausible.62. When we asked Professor David Harper, Chief Scientist at the DH, about the scientificplausibility of homeopathy, he agreed with our assessment that there was “a lack ofscientific plausibility in how homeopathic remedies might work”. 71 However, he added“that is not to say there should not be research into like cures like or molecular memory. Ithink that is a different thing.” 7263. We would challenge Professor Harper’s comment that research funding should bedirected towards exploring theories that are not scientifically plausible. Research fundingis limited and highly competitive. The Government should continue its policy offunding the highest quality applications for important scientific research determinedon the basis of peer review.64. The Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor John Beddington, has told us inunequivocal terms that he is of the view that there is no evidence base for homeopathy. 73We recommend that the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and Professor Harper,Chief Scientist at the DH, get together to see if they can reach an agreed position on thequestion of whether there is any merit in research funding being directed towards theclaimed modes of action of homeopathy.68 “Could water really have a memory?”, BBC News, 25 July 2008, www.news.bbc.co.uk69 Ev 92, para 3.370 Q 10471 Q 20072 Q 200; we examine the question of research at paragraph 74 and following.73 Oral evidence taken before the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee on 5 November 2008, HC(2007–08) 999–iii, Q297