What happens when ideas presented as science lead us in the
wrongdirection? History is filled with brilliant ideas that gave
rise to disaster, and this book explores the most fascinating--and
significant--missteps: from opium's heyday as the pain reliever of
choice to recognition of opioids as a major cause of death in the
U.S.; from the rise of trans fats as the golden ingredient for
tastier, cheaper food to the heart disease epidemic that followed;
and from the cries to ban DDT for the sake of the environment to an
epidemic-level rise in world malaria. These are today's sins of
science--as deplorable as mistaken ideas from the past such as
advocating racial purity or using lobotomies as a cure for mental
illness. These unwitting errors add up to seven lessons both
cautionary and profound, narrated by renowned author and speaker
Paul A. Offit. A physician best known for his research and strong
views about childhood vaccination, Offit uses these lessons to
investigate how we can separate good science from bad, using some
of today's most controversial creations--e-cigarettes, GMOs, drug
treatments for ADHD--as case studies. For every "Aha!" moment that
should have been an "Oh no," this book is an engrossing account of
how science has been misused disastrously--and how we can learn to
use its power for good.
General
Imprint: |
National Geographic Society
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
April 2017 |
Authors: |
Paul A. Offit
|
Dimensions: |
236 x 161 x 26mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Hardcover - Paper over boards
|
Pages: |
287 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-4262-1798-2 |
Categories: |
Books >
Science & Mathematics >
Science: general issues >
General
|
LSN: |
1-4262-1798-6 |
Barcode: |
9781426217982 |
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