‘THE Enlightenment is under threat. So is reason. So is truth. So is science. I am one of those scientists who feel that it is no longer enough just to get on and do science. We have to devote a significant proportion of our time and resources to defending it from deliberate attack from organised ignorance.”
This delightful quote constitutes a typically trenchant call to arms by Richard Dawkins. In an environment in which we must do our utmost to encourage interest in science and build strong scientific literacy in our young, it is incumbent on all concerned to consider ways in which to contribute to this endeavour.
On September 14th last, the British charity, Sense About Science (senseaboutscience.org), launched a new campaign entitled Ask for Evidence. The campaign has received support from high-profile figures including David Attenborough, Richard Dawkins, Derren Brown, Dara Ó Briain and Simon Singh.
Ask for Evidenceencourages people to demand evidence for claims about science and medicine, whatever the source. Inaccurate and misleading statements are abundant in advertising, the media and in a wide range of organisations and institutions – even within scientific professions. I would encourage everyone with an interest in the promotion of good science to think of ways in which to engage with this laudable project.
Teachers might devise interesting and entertaining challenges for schoolchildren of all ages. A trip to an alternative or holistic health fair in the RDS would provide oppor- tunities for evidence-seeking with regard to the products on display. Children would find endless topics for projects.
You will undoubtedly find Hopi ear candles on sale. These are placed in the ear and lit and are said to draw out toxins and to strengthen the brain, relieve sinus pain and ear-ache and purify the blood. This is explained by the chimney effect created by the lit candle. Other evidence presented is that if you split the candle after its job is finished you will see that it is full of brown gooey wax, supposedly from the ear! The children can easily show that the wax appears even if the candle is stood lighting on a saucer and the chimney effect can be countered by placing light material (a piece of tissue will do) beneath the candle and noting that it does not rise. They might also note the medical literature that documents the burns that can ensue.
Another likely exhibit will be mounted by teams of iridologists who claim to be able to note signs of impending disease through markings in the iris. Following treatment with herbal or homeopathic products, they claim to see changes in the iris that indicate that the treatment has been effective. Children can learn about the eye and that the iris does not change except in cases of rare ocular condit- ions and be encouraged to question the claim- ants who, in essence, are imagining things.
There will be dowsers there who will claim to detect disease by holding crystals suspen- ded above the body, to detect water under- ground and find missing persons and objects, and even predict UFOs by dowsing over maps. There will be acupuncturists who claim that the organs of your body are directly connected with the auricle of your ear, while iridologists claim the organs are connected to the iris and reflexologists claim they are represented on the soles of your feet.
The above claims present excellent opportunities to discuss what we really know about physics, anatomy and physiology and to encourage children to think about experimen- tal designs that could test the claims made.
A trip to the local pharmacy might prove equally enlightening. There may be detox strips that are said to draw brown goo from your feet at night cleansing your body of toxins, magnetic bracelets said to aid blood flow and to inhibit pain, and a comprehensive range of homeopathic products.
An initial question to the pharmacist might address whether she supports evidence-based medicine. She might then be asked what the evidence base is for the products mentioned above. In my experience they usually admit there is none, but that they are catering to customer demands. Here lies the opportunity to introduce the children to ethics.
The next holistic health fair takes place in the RDS on October 29th to 30th. If there is time left after a visit, children can be asked to question the evidence of other magical phen- omena – broom-riding witches, ghosts and goblins and things that go bump in the night.
Paul O’Donoghue is a principal clinical psychologist and founder member of the Irish Skeptics Society. contact@irishskeptics.org.