Dear Editor,

I write in response to the article, “It’s a nutraceutical, not a drug” by Dr Henry Lowe in response to Dr William Aiken’s publication, “Prostate cancer breakthrough”. I found Dr Lowe’s rebuttal somewhat constructive, and must commend him on attempting to “set the record straight” for the Jamaican public and international media regarding his research work involving ball-moss isolates.

He must also be commended for engaging and seeking to empower minds of all ages around the world to become visionaries and entrepreneurs in the field of medicine, and involving Jamaica’s two largest universities (UTech and UWI) to share in the process of developing Jamaica’s biotech industry, and by extension that of the Caribbean.

However, the high esteem to which we hold any scientist, let alone a son of the soil, will not allow me to simply bypass several statements made by a man who should know that in his present capacity his words carry weight around the world. That is why you are invited to present at international conferences and seminars, Dr Lowe, that is why you were made adjunct professor of several universities — to inspire, redefine the status quo, and lift the standard of discussion on medicine and how we educate the layman and our professional counterparts. Therefore, although Dr Lowe found it necessary to present facts publicly to Dr Aiken and friends showing why he has credibility, was it truly relevant for Dr Lowe to state that “I loathe blowing my own trumpet or singing my own praises…”?

Still, I wish to say that Dr Lowe must be commended for being willing to communicate with Dr Aiken and any professional who wishes to learn more about his research before they publicly comment on it. However, he should display a more mature thought process when educating his colleagues.

Paul Chin

Psychologist/Consultant

paulochinwong@gmail.com