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Alex Boyd all the books in the news a quick look at newly published material and books of current interest. Your host is Alex Boyd in the serials department at the University of Illinois Library. Scientific journalism as one of the most efficient methods by which complex theories are made coherent to the layman to open hi over many discoveries. Even some of great importance pass unknown except to a few individuals with the need to know and the ability to grasp then that. Gordon rocks retailer and his book The biological time bomb published by world publishing company has distilled many of the most far reaching advances in biology and its related areas and link them to man's condition both at present and in the future. As well as reporting is concerned the author has done an excellent job. In some of the reviews most of the biological advances of the past two decades displaying undeniable talent for grasping and crystallizing the essence of these achievements. The reader is certain to gain a new appreciation. Of the role of the scientist in reading this book. The depth of scientific research being conducted in biology today is phenomenal. There's almost
no urry no area that shows any promise at all that isn't being investigated and apparently only lack of money or manpower inhibits investigation of the few that are left. As a result the strides in the biological sciences have been tremendous and each new discovery seems to have an effect akin to dropping a pebble in a pool. As Mr. Rattray sees it a time is approaching where these pebbles will cause shock waves. And science will outstrip mankind's capability to withstand them. Therein lies the second and most controversial element of his book. The author views biological discoveries in terms of social economic and political concerns. He believes that in many cases society is simply not prepared to receive the benefits that research can afford. His point is well taken case of biological warfare where even though it's theoretically possible to save many lives through the use of chemical agents such a furor would be raised that no nation since World War one has
dared use them on a large scale. The thorough appraisals of the present state of knowledge in the biological sciences and prediction of possible tainment some he believes to be in the media's future. He raises provocative questions about mankind's willingness or ability to accept some advances. Each section of the book follows a pattern beginning with to say the least a catchy title such as is sex necessary is death necessary. New minds for old. Or can we create life. You have used the present state and future possibilities in the area. Many of the authors extrapolations into the future appear hardly credible even desirable. One can forsee the demise of certain diseases or birth defects or choosing the sex of one's child. Other predictions seem implausible or not so much to be desired. Eternal youth or control of the mind are examples of these. Nothing it seems can be said to be impossible. Was the author points out heart transplants barely two decades ago were considered to be unthinkable but are now mainly restricted by the proper
conjunction of donor Doni and facilities. Where I cannot agree with Mr Taylor is in his dire predictions of the fate of mankind. Perhaps I would like many who have come of age under the cloud of the atomic bomb. I've become somewhat jaded by scientific discoveries. To me even if the time bomb about all GI goes off does not necessarily mean that society will be unable to absorb the consequences. If it's inevitable that men will come to know but more about himself and his environment. With results and radical changes it seems equally inevitable that as the changes occur he will accept and adjust to them just as he has done to discoveries of the past. But that's my own opinion. Each reader must decide for himself whether Mr. Taylor's prognosis is valid. In any event if you're not quite current on the present state and future possibilities plausible or implausible of biology read the biological time bomb. This has been books on the nose prepared and presented by Alex Boyd and sponsored by the Illinois State Library.
This program was distributed by the national educational radio network.
Series
Books in the news
Episode
The Biological Time Bomb
Producing Organization
National Association of Educational Broadcasters
Illinois State Library
Contributing Organization
University of Maryland (College Park, Maryland)
AAPB ID
cpb-aacip/500-m03xxp8c
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Description
Episode Description
In program number 373, Alex Boyd talks about Gordon Rattray Taylor's "The Biological Time Bomb."
Series Description
A quick look at newly published material and books of current interest.
Broadcast Date
1969-02-11
Topics
Literature
Media type
Sound
Duration
00:04:32
Embed Code
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Credits
Producing Organization: National Association of Educational Broadcasters
Producing Organization: Illinois State Library
Speaker: Boyd, Alex
AAPB Contributor Holdings
University of Maryland
Identifier: 61-35d-373 (National Association of Educational Broadcasters)
Format: 1/4 inch audio tape
Duration: 00:04:19
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Citations
Chicago: “Books in the news; The Biological Time Bomb,” 1969-02-11, University of Maryland, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed March 28, 2024, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-500-m03xxp8c.
MLA: “Books in the news; The Biological Time Bomb.” 1969-02-11. University of Maryland, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. March 28, 2024. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-500-m03xxp8c>.
APA: Books in the news; The Biological Time Bomb. Boston, MA: University of Maryland, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-500-m03xxp8c