Storm over Biology (review)

BOOK REVIEWS Storm over Biology. By Bernard D. Davis, Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 1986. Pp. 324. $22.95. This is a collection of essays on public and academic policy written, not by a sociologist as one might guess, but by a distinguished microbiologist and geneticist . Whereas the sociologist would probably have written such articles with feigned detachment, Davis's "objectivity" is tinged with quiet good-humored passion and thus carries a real punch. These essays defend the objectivity of biological science with courage and effectiveness. Fortunately, he wrote well and obviously enjoyed the verbal encounters he entered. Most of the articles and editorials were originally published in scientific journals, but several appeared where they would be read by the educated general public to whom he was also appealing. Short explanatory paragraphs point to the detailed relevance of each article and help maintain a continuing story. Some of these articles were written 15 years ago; all of them are as pertinent today as when they first appeared. A card-carrying liberal, Davis was accused of bigotry and intolerance by a few Harvard faculty colleagues for defending efforts of investigators to attempt to develop methods for measuring intellectual ability. He supported the concept of sociobiology and in doing so sustained the label of a racist. Antiscientists attacked him for defending molecular genetic research and the technical application of these remarkable advances. He understood the fear generated by the rapid advances in this area and was persuasive in advocating caution and reasonable safeguards. He appreciated that pushing ahead without educating the public could, if accidents occurred, lead to the loss of its support. It is important to appreciate that in none of these positions was Davis defending his own research but, rather, the scientific community. He also demonstrated in one essay that he had the courage to act against his own university when, under the leadership of the dean, academic standards were discriminatorily lowered for some students. Here again he was bitterly maligned for his efforts to ensure that a great university did not lower its standards for selected students. To the shame of the rest of the medical school faculty, he found himself almost alone on this issue. Having tenure did not provide courage for many of his colleagues who confidentially sided with him on the issue. This review, appearing several years after publication of the book, is appropriate , because Davis has drawn die issues clearly, and they are timeless. It may Permission to reprint a book review printed in this section may be obtained only from the author. 304 Book Reviews well be that his vigorous and articulate stands are partially responsible for the fact that science and academic scholars remain as free as they are in 1990. The Excitement andFascination ofScience: Reflections by Eminent Scientists. Vol. 3, pts. 1 and 2. Compiled by Joshua Lederberg. Palo Alto, Calif.: Annual Reviews, Inc., 1990. Pp. 2,317. $90.00. Teaching potential scientists has become less humanistic as more information has to be presented in shorter semesters and quarters. Students are infrequently informed about the eminent scientists whose names identify an observation, experiment, or concept. When my students interested in more than accumulating facts ask how these scientists achieve eminence, I refer them to a prefatory chapter in a pertinent volume of the Annual Reviews. In these chapters, senior scientists often use autobiography to present views of the development of their disciplines during long careers and personal involvement. The Annual Reviews previously published two volumes of prefatory chapters. In the third volume, TL· Excitement andFascination ofScience: Reflections by Eminent Scientists, 106 scientists representing 16 disciplines in the biological and physical sciences present their unique backgrounds, experiences, contributions and views of their disciplines. The chapters glow with the excitement of discovery and, after long careers, the scientists are still fascinated with their disciplines. I had the distinct impression that almost all were pleased with their career choices. No lecturer can match the flavor of these autobiographies that illuminate dry textbooks. This collection should be in every college and university library as required reading for undergraduates interested in a scientific, and perhaps academic, career. E. D. Garber Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of...