Human Blochemldry
book reviews Science, Man and Soclety. Second Edltlon
Fiseher, Robert, California State College a t Domingues Hills. W. B. Saunders Co., Pennsylvania, 1975. vii 208 pp. Figs. and tables. 25 X 16 cm. $5.75.
+
Would you classify the official scorer a t a baseball game as a scientist? According to the definition of science put forth by Fischer in this book, I would. To wit: "Science is the body of knowledge obtained by methods based upon observation." Would you classify the curh-persons a t a hamburger drive-in as technologists? Again, according to Fischer's definition of technology, I would. "Technology is the totality of the means employed by peoples t o provide material objects for human sustenance and comfort." "Science, Man and Society" is a book that attempts to move from these working definitions to confront the question "Can the great powers inherent in scientifie knowledge and in modern, science-based technology be used responsibly by asociety in whichmany or most people do not even comprehend the nature and significance of seience and technology?" The question is certainly crucial. However, the implication of my opening remarks is that in my view the book does not really carry it off. Yet, when a boak goes intoasecond edition, expands from 124 to 208 pages, and adds questions to the end of each chapter, it is a fair assumption that it must be satisfying to some. The book is intended to he used as a supplement to the normal, subject-matter textbook in introductory courses for science or non-science majors, or generally t o correct deficiencies in previous formal education. Its development is the same as in the first editian, moving from a definition of seience, to the practice of science as a human activity, then to a description of science in terms of authority, truth, limits, etc. This is followed
James M . O ~ t e nWayne , State University School of Medicine, and Otto W.Neuhaw, University of South Dakota School of Medicine. The C. V. Mosbv Co.. Saint . tables. Louis, 1975. xvi + 995 pp. ~ i &and 26 X 18.5 em. $18.95.
by chapters un science as i r relates to techndoyy, higher education, and publir polio).. does a commendable The concluding - rhapwr job of summarizing. There are strong sections, well-written and thought provoking, such as seience andlor scientism and "truth"
...""."
Nevertheless, in my view i t is necessary to be critical of this book. I would suggest three areas of difficulty. First, there is much material of anature that I believe would bedull to the intended audience (basing this on my 8-years experience teaching in this area). For example, unimaginative illustrations (is a drawing of Arrhenius important in a book of this type?), 11consecutive paragraphs with differing definitions of seience, and sections of data and information that are not adequately integrated with the hook's theme question (except as an implicit appeal for more science support). Second, Fischer writes about value judgments and the necessity of making choices hut is not clear in identifying his value choices (see discussions on the nature of edueation and the Apollo program). More damaging is the absence of defining whatvaluesare, how they are arrived at, and how they relate to choices. Thus, he seriously skirts the thrust of his theme question. Third, I submit that the questions leave a great deal to be desired in that they are either inappropriate for the audience, unintelligible, or greatly beyond the resources of the majority of introductory students. Examples: "What are the constitutional bases for the organizational mechanisms of participation in scientifie work?" and "Discuss areas of difference and of overlap between technology and applied seience." Before adopting or adding t o the library, I would suggest a close look to see if this boak meets your needs.
The ninth edition of this textbook, originated by I. S. Kleiner, has been reorganized but only slightly rewritten. Discoveries more recent than the eighth edition (1970) are mentioned only briefly, in spite of the inclusion of many recent references. The change of title from "Biochemistry" to "Human Biochemistry" reflects a continuing emphasis rather than a change in content. This text emphasizes chemistry less than man" of its competitors. The chemistry of amino acids, liGds, and earhahydrates is discussed in a separate chapter, following chapters on their biosynthesis and metabolism, which follow chapters on macromolecules. Chapters on physical principles and biochemical techniques conclude the book. The organization leads to a large number of cross-references, and may confuse students who begin their study of biochemistry with a background in chemistry rather than biology. T h e nnrrntive is oarticularlv-easv,toread. in part because rt is uninrcrn~pwdhy thedata that would make the book more urrful as a reference. The reading is also relatively undemanding because models are presented without analysis of the experimental evidence supporting them. Students therefore will gain a passive understanding of current knowledge in biochemistry without a sense of the experimental nature of the science. The absence of problems contributes t o the passivity of learning from this text. The boak is particularly suitable for those who need a basic familiarity with biochemistry because of their interest in nutrition or clinical medicine. For those who want a more fundamental and dcuilrd \understanding.Wh~te.Handler, and a betrrr rhwce. Smith w u l d
David P. Young Maryvilie College MsryviIie. Tennessee 37801
~~~~~
~
~~
.~~ ~
~
Joan Lwk Brown University Pmvidence. Rhode island 02912 (Continued on page A4661
Reviewed in this Issue Robert Fisher, Science, Man and Society, Second Edition James M Orten and Otto W. Neuhaus, Human Biochemistry Henry M. Leicester, Development of Biochemical Concepts from Ancient to Modern Times H. Gutfreund, editor, Chemistry of Macromolecules. MTP International Review of Science. Biochemistry Series One, Volume 1 C. H. Wang, D. L. Willis, and W . D. Loveland, Radiotracer Methodology in the Biological, Environmental and Physical Sciences H. J. Emelius. editor. MTP International Review of Science-Inorganic Chemistry. series TWO Earl L. Muetterties, editor, Baron Hydride Chemistry Irwin H. Segel, Enzyme Kinetics, Behavior and Analysis of Rapid Equilihrium and Steady-State Enzyme Systems W . Klyne and J. Buekinghom, An Atlas of Stereochemistry. Absolute Configurations of Organic Molecules George C. Leuy, Topics in Carban-13 NMR Spectroscopy G.Eglinton, senior reporter, Environmental Chemistry, Volume 1 S. S. Penner and L, leerman, Energy. Volume 1.Demands, Resources, Impact, Technology, and Policy (One of a Three-Volume Set of Lecture Notes) New Volumes in Continuing Series
Reuiewer David P. Young Joan Lusk George B. Kauffman
A465 A465 A466
Michael A. Cusanavich L. B. Church Philip C. Keller Russell A. Geanangel Michael Wagner
0 . Bertrand Ramsay Michael Barfield
J. W. Robinson Gordon W. Gribble
Volume 53, Number 11. November 1976 / A465
