Letter: Political lies

Professor Carey's view, cited by Lewis Wolpert (Review, 9 February) that science is the antithesis of politics is well made.

I am a retired pathologist who issued reports that were central to the management of the patient. Inevitably, sometimes I made mistakes, and I admitted them. Had I shown the same degree of honesty as politicians, distorting facts, purveying half-truths and never admitting that I was wrong, I would no longer be on the Medical Register and might well be in prison.

W K Cowan

Newcastle upon Tyne