Waste
The Future of Man. By P. B. Medawar. (Methuen, 10s. 6d.)
IN a year when scientific technology has excelled itself in the production of a four-minute warning system there is a touching note of bravado to the title of the latest Reith 'Lectures. P. B. Meda- war. Professor of Zoology at University College, London. has directed his attention to the Future of Man. His distinguished experimental work deals chiefly with the organic foundations of biological individuality. And his familiarity with the checks and frustrations of experimental work has no doubt imposed the caution which is such a welcome feature of these humane and scholarly talks; by avoiding the familiar tones of hectic prophecy his book stands quite apart from others on the topic. It is an achievement that he should excite the imagination so much without a single concrete prediction of the future condi- tion of man. He cares not just about scientific THE SPECTATOR, MAY 6, 1960 evolution. The outcome of such a process linis is a remarkable epigrammatic statement of oni lend spurious scientific endorsements to cortuPt truth but also about common humanity, and he explains how hasty biological generalisations cart example, by perpetuating enfeebled stra,Ins:. demands and available genetic resources. I". enormous variety they offer a reserve of anal and blunder' are the very signatures of orgall involved and of the new techniques of discoverli genetics, demography and sociology in a srYI,11,se subtle reciprocal effects between the social an" change. Throughout runs the urgent call fork.; humane solution to the biological dilemmas. Tiilf condition and a timely specimen of 111°ra eugenic doctrines. The claim that medical science undermines the 'fitness' of the human race, f°r springs from an ignorant misconception of fi` lness.' He explains that such 'fitness' is at ve best mere compromise between environMe....arne relative immunity from malaria of Negro p013°13,4 anmmia. tion, are the rule in nature; and the very tn1Pefr fections represent a makeshift device for ensurin.g the survival of the race as a whole. PreSCnt in tive forms so that a changing environment always find some individuals more or less adaPP to the new conditions. So much for the Surf.; race, the emergence of which medical science.' said to frustrate! 'Waste, makeshift, comproral! fines himself to a sober display of the facto° and analysis. To this end he skilfully Wall synthesis, showing with wit and verve how li ons resides in an actual defect of the bl0°1 be uncertain; so that Professor Medawar al: the biological yield the unique flux of hunl3r15 which, if developed too far, results in a fara
Such dubious compromises, far from the exccP , • i biology.
JONATHAN
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