Biology Today: An Issues Approach

Rating:
Summary: Putting Biology in Context
Review: Biology Today, An Issues Approach gives a refreshingly innovative perspective to biological science. When so many texts seem to be clones of each other, this book addresses the same concepts in a completely new way -- through a series of pertinent and often controversial applications of scientific knowledge. I was led to this text after an exhaustive search for a book which would cause my students to think critically about the biological issues which they see every day in the news. Minkoff and Baker's book is the only one of its kind I have been able to find which meets the requirements for my course. In addition, on-line supplementary material is invaluable for providing possible essay topics, research areas, lecture outlines, etc. I highly recommend this book to all teachers who are considering establishing a course in biology that seriously challenges the students to look beyond the headlines and evaluate biological issues in light of their own ethical and social perspective.

Rating:
Summary: Nice try, but (sadly) no cigar!
Review: The authors write in an engaging and animated style, and the "issues approach" to biology introduced in this text is an excellent way to introduce the material. Non-science students in particular will benefit from such interesting-- and sometimes even exciting-- demonstrations of the importance of the topics covered.

Unfortunately, the book fails to live up to its ideal, and does so right from the start. Chapter One, for example, is so full of mistakes, oversimplifications and downright silliness that I would be embarrassed to assign it to my students! There are errors of dates, misleading definitions of concepts (sometimes even conflicting with the books own glossary), and inept treatments of non-scientific concerns (ethics and religion). The "thought questions" throughout the book frequently tend to be written in leading ways that suggest which answers will be "acceptable." Although the book tries hard to bridge "the two cultures," the reader is constantly reminded that science is one thing (defined by its rigorous method), and all other human efforts are "other" (nonfalsifiable, therefore "anything goes"!)

As a biology text, this is quite successful. Topics and explanations are accurate, clear and simple. It is a pity that the authors' laudable attempt to connect the science to significant social, ethical, and political issues is not similarly clear and well-informed. I fear that in the long run such carelessness may do more harm than good.