In the Woody Allen film “Sleeper”, two scientists of the 23^rd Century are amused when a man who has been asleep since 1973 asks for wheat germ for breakfast. One recalls that it was once supposed to have life-preserving qualities. His colleague is shocked...

“You mean there was no deep fat? No steak or cream pies or... hot fudge?”

“Those were thought to be unhealthy... precisely the opposite of what we now know to be true.”

That is the problem with science. The strength of the scientific method is that it treats all knowledge as provisional, to be proved or disproved by the evidence. The problem is that this does not stop individual scientists, or the Scientific Establishment, making bold, dogmatic pronouncements – which subsequently look ridiculous when new evidence comes in.

For example, in 1973 there were real fears of a new Ice Age. They disappeared when Global Warming became the fashionable fear. Now some say Global Warming might itself trigger an Ice Age.

Then there is the question of how we should react to Global Warming. Many, especially on the political left, used to think nuclear power was evil. Then Tony Blair, Britain’s Prime Minister, and leader of the leftist Labour Party, ordered an expansion of nuclear power because carbon-based alternatives like oil increased Global Warming. Now this week, Gordon Brown, Blair’s successor as Labour Prime Minister, faced with the rising price of oil, ordered an expansion of oil production.

Here is the point for business to note: do not rely too much on what calls itself “science”. The scientific process proper is a marvellous boon to humanity, but the misinterpretation and abuse of science by decision-makers is simply not science.