Epistemology of Nutrigenetic Knowledge

Abstract This chapter is meant to stimulate questioning about the reliability of what we think we know about nutrigenomics. We need to be constantly on our toes, ready to discard our favorite assumptions in light of new evidence. This does not mean throwing out hard-earned knowledge but understanding that only constant probing will keep it fresh and trustworthy. We also have to be aware of the fundamental difference between research and the development of clinical applications. We can afford much more error in basic population studies, and some preliminary clinical research than when setting algorithms and practice guidelines for use in practice. The latter requires more and better clinical trials than we usually get. In practice, what counts is strong evidence that the algorithms we employ are better than available alternatives, knowing that some of them will be wrong.