Making Genes, Making Waves: A Social Activist in Science

By Jon Beckwith

Book Overview

In 1969, Jon Beckwith and his colleagues succeeded in isolating a gene from the chromosome of a living organism. Announcing this startling achievement at a press conference, Beckwith took the opportunity to issue a public warning about the dangers of genetic engineering. Jon Beckwith's book, the story of a scientific life on the front line, traces one remarkable man's dual commitment to scientific research and social responsibility over the course of a career spanning most of the postwar history of genetics and molecular biology.

A thoroughly engrossing memoir that recounts Beckwith's halting steps toward scientific triumphs--among them, the discovery of the genetic element that turns genes on--as well as his emergence as a world-class political activist, Making Genes, Making Waves is also a compelling history of the major controversies in genetics over the last thirty years. Presenting the science in easily understandable terms, Beckwith describes the dramatic changes that transformed biology between the late 1950s and our day, the growth of the radical science movement in the 1970s, and the personalities involved throughout. He brings to light the differing styles of scientists as well as the different ways in which science is presented within the scientific community and to the public at large. Ranging from the travails of Robert Oppenheimer and the atomic bomb to the Human Genome Project and recent "Science Wars," Beckwith's book provides a sweeping view of science and its social context in the latter half of the twentieth century.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0674009282
• ISBN13: 9780674009288
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

interesting book

as a phd student in biology, i attended a seminar by dr. beckwith and was interested in what he said regarding the ethical implications of our work as scientists. he is a great scientist with years of experience under his lab coat both in social activism and in research. it made me look into what i am doing not just as pure research for the sake of knowledge but also how it will impact negatively and/or positively the society and humanity. the only problem is that he talks alot about eugenics which has been dismissed by sceintists long time ago, and rarely talks about the current negative implications of some scientific discoveries on our daily life. nevertheless it is a must read for all young aspiring and old scientists

Interesting Reading

An intelligent, clearly written book by Harvard microbiologist and social activist Jon Beckwith. He describes his eventful life in science and activism, and makes some interesting points about the nature of science: "the actual practice of science is a human endeavor with the flaws and virtues of any human activity." He emphasizes the importance of ethics in science, and says that scientists and non-scientists must work together for science to help mankind, and not be used unwisely. I knew Beckwith years ago when I lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and wish him well with the book.