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suggests that it is: to be satisfied. ... As for our interpersonal relations, it seems that they are governed, however loosely, by the general principle that the probability ofsurvival of a relationship between individuals or groups of individuals increases with the extent to which the relationship is mutually satisfying. Leake has planned two additions to his Practical Philosophy: one on logic and another on aesthetics. We can look forward to further interesting and valuable rationalistic accounts of these elements of his humanist philosophy. Maurice B. Visscher University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Transplantation Antigens. Edited by Barry D. Kahan and Ralph A. Reisfeld. New York: Academic Press, 1972. Pp. 538. $29.50. Technical procedures for organ grafting were developed nearly threequarters ofa century ago. Although transplantation has been clinically successful for only two decades, Dr. Alexis Carrel was awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine in 1912 "in recognition of his work on suturing of vessels and the transplantation of blood vessels and organs." However, he had almost completely abandoned his efforts at transplantation of organs by the time he received this award. He observed amazingly good function of organ grafts for a few days, but grafts invariably stopped functioning with the passage of time; in his words, "From a biological standpoint, no conclusion has thus far been reached because the interactions of the host and its new organ are still practically unknown." Several decades passed before it was recognized generally that rejection of grafts was caused by an immune response to antigen present in the graft. These antigens are termed "histocompatibility antigens" because of their widespread occurrence in the tissues of an individual. Antigenic differences are encountered in man whenever grafting of tissues is attempted, except between identical twins. The clinical success of kidney transplantation has been possible because relatively effective means have been developed to suppress the immune response to these antigens. This volume reviews the current state of knowledge about histocompatibility antigens. The editors reveal their orientation by using the term "transplantation antigens," although it hardly seems likely that these antigens have evolved to thwart attempts to replace diseased organs with grafts obtained from other individuals. Considerable progress has been made in recent years in obtaining active antigenic material in soluble form, and insights are emerging about their biological functions. The 25 chapters by recognized authorities provide a current thorough review. The introductory section considers some of the basic biological features of histocompatibility antigens. Chapters deal with the phylogeny of transplantation reactivity, the implications of histocompatibility antigens in pregnancy, and the tissue and cellular distribution of antigens and their cross-reactivity with bacterial antigens. Various methods for extraction of histocompatibility antigens are then reviewed in some detail. Although the editors have shown preference for particular methods of antigen preparation, proponents of alternative Perspectives in Biology and Medicine ยท Winter 1974 | 289 approaches have been given adequate opportunity to describe their techniques. Sonication, salt extraction, enzymatic methods, and the use of detergents are discussed and compared. Methods for characterizing the biological properties of native and solubilized antigen are discussed in the several chapters. Techniques for evaluating immunogenicity, for measuring effects on mixed leukocyte reactivity, graft survival, and delayed-type hypersensitivity, and for following the reactivity of antigen with antibody are described. The final section, "Horizons in Antigen Research," includes chapters by the editors on "Perspectives on the Role of HL-A Antigens and the Molecular Nature of HL-A Antigens." The final chapter, by G. J. V. Nossal, is entitled "Prospectus: Future Adventures in Transplantation Antigen Research." This book is a compendium ofuseful recent information. It provides considerable detail without being ponderous. Although written by several authors, it is quite readable. Frank Fitch Department of Pathology University of Chicago Exploring New Ethicsfor Survival: The Voyage ofthe Spaceship "Beagle." By Garrett Hardin. Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1973. Pp. 273. $1.45. Professor Garrett Hardin has done some of the most provocative lecturing and writing on the relationship between population and the limited resources of the earth. This book may be his best to date. His examination of the threats to man's future and possible alternatives to disaster is witty and scary. He combines examination of the problems of ecology with a science...

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