Abstract
Background In homeopathic philosophy, vital force is a non-material substrate that is responsible
for maintaining the body's sensations and functions and where homeopathic medicines
act. In genetics, the body's vital functions are controlled by biochemical information,
which is contained in the cell genome and consists of a protein encoding portion (exome)
and another that regulates this encoding scheme (epigenome). Both the philosophical
vital force and the genome present properties of complex and dynamic self-organisation
systems.
Aims This study aimed to explore and develop a philosophical-scientific correlation between
vitalism and genetics according to the complexity paradigm.
Results Vital principle and genome present inseparable composition among distinct existing
components that influence one another and form a network of connections that create
complex and dynamic self-organisation behaviour. Described in both models, ‘vortex’
indicates the existence of a force coming from within the system that is externalised
as an emergent, information-transmitting phenomenon. Supporting this correlation,
some experimental studies show that homeopathic medicines act on the genome by modulating
gene expression.
Conclusions In line with the similarity of existing characteristics and properties, the genome
may be considered as hypothetical biological substrate of organic vital force.
Keywords
homeopathy - vitalism - genetics - epigenetics - complex systems
