Reply to D. Mastrangelo

Editor,

I thank Professor Mastrangelo for his interest in my paper. I was asked to present a sceptical viewpoint and did so!

I cannot comment on the reasons behind Benveniste’s loss of his appointment. However, I would certainly agree with Professor Mastrangelo that he did excellent, ground-breaking work on platelet activating factor (PAF). I do, however, disagree with his assessment of my own situation. My managers have never interfered with my research into high dilutions nor asked me to cease publishing or speaking in this area. If I were so afraid of losing my job, then the last thing I would do would be to remind people of the work that I have published by writing a review article!

Professor Mastrangelo asks whether I could participate in a study on the effects of adrenaline on basophils “with the serene attitude of an impartial observer”. I would propose that he is also not an impartial observer and indeed we all come to our research with our accepted paradigms.