Enemies of Reason

Medicine under attack

Today science is treated with suspicion, perhaps born of fear and even medical advance is challenged by the march of irrational belief.

While we indulge unproven healing 'magic', tried and tested scientific medicine is under attack. Media 'causes celebres' – from side effects to superbugs – have bred widespread cynicism about medical progress.

The danger of devaluing evidence has never been more apparent than when one survey of twelve children wrongly linked MMR vaccine with autism and yet prompted hundreds of thousands of parents to opt their children out of entirely sensible inoculations to ward off dangerous diseases.

Where once there was reason, now there is confusion...

Astrology is a primitive belief system made into elaborate pseudo-science, says Richard Dawkins. Do you agree?
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No
Don't know

Travel into the unknown through the frontiers of mystery

A look at the world's major faiths plus a forum for debate and discussion

Share your opinions about the issues raised in this programme