Book reviews Scientific Controversies. Case studies in the resolution and closure of disputes in science and technology. Edited by H. Tristram Engelhardt Jr. andArthur L. Cap/an. Pp. 639. Cambridge University Press. 1987. Hardbackf35.00($59.50/, Paperbackfl5.00.

This long collection examines disputes about the application of scientific knowledge. There are 28 contributions by philosophers, histo- rians, sociologists, and others. The first drafts of the papers were finished in 1982 and this accounts for the dated feel of some of the discussion. Since these papers were con- ceived, published case studies of the heart- land of the scientific enterprise have shown that, even in the most unapplied regions of the physical sciences, experiment and scien- tific method are not sufficient to effect a closure if people care enough about the subject of the debate. This puts a different complexion on applied science. For example, among other things. this book asks us to contrast closures of controversy which come about through ‘sound argument’ with other modes of debate. But what counts as a sound argument is never completely clear until after debate is concluded. It is debates, however conducted, that show what is sound argument - there is no philosophical court of appeal beyond the debate itself.

There is a lot of interesting and useful material in these case studies, but some of the authors have leaned over so far backward to touch philosophical bedrock that they are seeing the world upside down.

H. M. Collins

The Disposal of Long-Lived and Highly Radioactive Waste. Edited by A. S. Laughton, L. E. J. Roberts, D. Wilkinson and D. A. Gray. Pp. 189. The Royal Society, London. 1986. f33.00 (UK), f35.00 (overseas) inc. post.

Long-lived and highly radioactive wastes arise mainly as the by-products of the technol- ogy of power generation by nuclear fission. At the heart of the debate on the management of these wastes is the question of whether other present-day technologies enable this radioac- tive detritus to be disposed of in a way that ensures it is not an unacceptable burden to future generations during the tens of thousands of years over which the wastes will remain a potential hazard.

Methods of disposal rely on the effective- ness of the ‘multiple-barrier’ concept: en- capsulate the wastes in a medium which is itself placed in a geological formation where the natural processes will return the un- wanted substances only slowly to the bio- sphere, if at all.

Endeavour, New Series, Volume 12, No. 1, 1988. 0160-9327188 $3.00 + 0.00. 0 1988. Pergamon Press pk. Printed in Great Britain.

The extent of current scientific knowledge of the isolating capabilities of the several phases of the ‘multi-barrier’ is the central theme of this collection of 15 review papers presented at a discussion meeting at the Royal Society in May 1986, by authors distinguished in their respective fields.

The papers are sub-divided into three sec- tions covering Long Term Containment and Interaction with the Environment; Migration of Radioactive Species through the Geo- sphere; and Pathways in the Biosphere.These are preceded by three papers giving an over- view and perspective of current disposal op- tions, their radiological criteria, and the char- acteristics and quantitites of the wastes.

This is a useful and valuable collection which has succeeded in its objective of pre- senting a broad survey of current knowledge rather than details of recent advances.

It will inform a wider audience, both scien- tific and lay, of the present state of knowledge of the disparate disciplines which serve to underpin decisions on the methods of disposal of these wastes.

J. R. F. Burdett

Food, Health and the Consumer. By T. R. Gormley, G. Downey, and D. O’Beirne. Pp. 317. ElsevierApplied Science Publishers, Barking. 1987. f34.00.

This book is a report of a cooperative study on technological and policy changes in food production and manufacture in Europe, with emphasis on nutrition and consumer safety. It was prepared for the EEC’s FAST program- me (Forecasting and Assessment in the Field of Science and Technology) with the objective of predicting long-term implications for fu- ture EEC action. Unfortunately, the book presentation is not special, being from a camera copy of the original report, and an index would have been welcome. Neverthe- less, the editors have skilfully combined an extensive literature review with information obtained at a series of interviews and work- shops attended by scientists and representa- tives from consumer organisations, and agri- cultural and food industries.

The topics covered include (a) an assess- ment of the link between human nutrition and disease patterns; (b) food and nutrition poli- cies in member states; and (c) agricultural production and food processing practices, including newer technologies and their health implications. Microbiological hazard is ex- cluded.

In these days when it has become fashion- able for authors to find few merits in modern food production and processing, it is re- freshing to read a more balanced, albeit unsensational view. Although this is not a book for those with a mere passing interest in the subject, it provides a unique source of up-to-date information for nutritionists, food

scientists, and those working in the area of food and nutrition policy.

Ann Walker

Save the Birds. By Anthony W. Diamond, RudolfL. Schreiber, DavidAttenborough and /an Prestt. Pp. 384. Cambridge University Press. 1987. f 7 7.50,

One might think that birds have ‘got it made’ as a conservation issue. They are often visual- ly stunning, generally popular, and often extraordinarily mobile. In spite of these advantages, Save the Birds spearheads a 1987 World campaign to protect these often en- dangered animals. This excellent, well-written book is attractively organized and packaged for a wide audience. It contains over 600 colour illustrations (photographs, bird portraits, maps, and diagrams) but, rather than simply celebrating birds, the book emphasizes that conservation is a global problem requiring global solutions. Even the most sceptical reader must be convinced that ‘love’ is insufficient protection for any animal - any successful conservation programme requires tough deci- sions based on precise knowledge of biology, economics, politics, and marketing. Habitat destruction, inadvertent introduction of fore- ign species, intensive farming, and direct persecution are familiar themes but they are done here with personal impact. Conservation is not an indulgence by richer nations but a valid attempt to preserve our planet’s diversity. All individuals have to be convinced of this. Birds provide a powerful focus for such cam- paigns as their mobility often puts these crea- tures at risk. Save the Birds should be required reading for children, lovers of natural history, industrialists, and politicians.

P. F. Brain

A New Key to Wild Flowers. By John Hayward. Pp. 278. Cambridge University Press. 1987. Hardcoverf25.00. Paperback f8.95.

Most of the wild flowers, trees, rushes, sedges, grasses, and ferns native in or intro- duced to Great Britain can readily be iden- tified with John Hayward’s admirably lucid key, excellently illustrated by Michael Hick- ey. This follows the honoured tradition of Gaston Bonnier’s time-worn classic.

Although almost every plant in nearly all of Great Britain is included, ‘great rarities and extremely local plants’ are allegedly omitted. Nevertheless, 33 inclusions are rarities in the British Red Data Book, Vascular Plants, 2nd edn., 1983; of these one is probably extinct (Amoseris) and six are Scheduled Species under the 198 1 Wildlife and Countryside Act, three of them being ‘endangered’. Rarities are arbitrari- ly selected: the exceedingly scarce Breckland Veronica triphyllos is included, the locally abun- dant Phleum phleoides is not. The important dominant Agrostis vinealis is omitted, as are some locally abundant sedges.

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