Scientific Interpreter

For someone who has spent most of his career investigating the chemical components of cigarette smoke, Dr Thornton is not forthcoming about smoking issues. My interests have widened since leaving BAT. I now run my own scientific business. I would describe myself as a scientific interpreter, he insists. His consultancy, Dibden Partners, interprets the complicated science of genetics and biochemistry for corporates.

But he makes no tall claims, I take a rather pessimistic view of science. Most 19th Century ideas have been rejected today, and 100 years from now, people will probably look back and laugh at our ideas. This is what scientific progress is all about.

 

Dr Thornton graduated with honours in Chemistry from London University, acquired a masters from Oxford and a doctorate from Manchester University. He is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and is a chartered chemist of the European Community.

India was a brief stopover on his journey to attend a scientific conference in Thailand. My wife and I do not miss an opportunity to come to India. In fact, India, Peru and New Zealand are our favourite holiday destinations.

The couple has seen most of the country and on this sojourn visited Varanasi and Lucknow. We do not have any favourite cities. I will be diplomatic and say that we enjoy all of India.