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From Gaia to Selfish Genes: Selected Writings in the Life Sciences

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Few scientific ideas have gained as much interest and acclaim as James Lovelock's suggestion of Gaia - the entire Earth views as a single organism. Connie Barlow's own reaction is as good an example as any, stating she could return to a childhood feeling of "science as nature which had been utterly quenched by schooling in science as facts." That dichotomy is the theme of this fine collection of essays - is the Gaia thesis viable, or has "science as fact" overthrown it? Barlow has assembled a strong group of authors to present for us to help in forming our own judgments. Even better, the list of works she draws from or points to allow each of us to delve into the subjects with open eyes, and, one hopes, open minds.

The title of the book imparts its structure, working from the grand picture to finer detailed areas. Barlow begins the collection with Lovelock's own definition of the Gaia concept - "the biosphere is a self-regulating entity." He ties his image to historical roots as well as scientific findings. Reminding us that "even scientists, who are notorious for their indecent curiosity, shy away from defining life," Lovelock is able to define Gaia beyond the normal environment we consider the realm of life. "Gaia," he says, "is a total planetary being." As Barlow notes in her afterword to Lovelock's presentation, "some scientists . . . have wholeheartedly begun the search for Gaian mechanisms."

Although not an outspoken supporter, Lewis Thomas, well known for his commentaries on science, is described by Barlow as viewing "the Earth's atmosphere in a Gaian sort of way." A stronger form of support is presented through the career of Lynn Margulis. research in how a cell is constructed and how that structure evolved was forced into a wholly new way of thinking by Margulis. Her detailed cell research led her to propose that many organelles within the cell are the result of ancient symbiotic relationships. Strongly opposed for several years, her theories are now the consensus view of cell evolution. Barlow sees the idea as a foundation stone for the Gaia hypothesis. Previously unrecognized alliances are now a major part of biological research, and Barlow includes several descriptive essays on this
phenomenon.

A Gaian organism requires a discernible structure, according to Barlow. Arthur Koestler is used to introduce how hierarchical structures are perceived in nature. Instead of tedious labeling of sub- after sub, Koestler introduces the term "holon" to define these organizational elements. Any individual of any species may be a "holon," as may be any societal group. The term is implied in following essays on "systems" or "organized complexity." Various commentators are incorporated in Barlow's collection to explain how Gaia works as an entity instead of just a collection of life forms. Game theory is introduced as a major aspect of interaction and cooperation both among and between Gaia's components. For example, Edward O. Wilson's science of sociobiology provides a framework for explaining such concepts as altruism and aggression.

Opposing the Gaia thesis, since much of its popular appeal rests with those seeking greater respect for the environment, is often considered an assault on "motherhood." Barlow uses three outspoken critics of Wilson to introduce alternate views. Richard Lewontin has derided sociobiology and its offshoots such as Lovelock's Gaia as "just-so" stories. Barlow draws on his writings attacking sociobiology as examples of "bad science." By projection, his criticisms must reach beyond societal species to the entire Gaian thesis. The ultimate, if indirect, challenge to Lovelock's idea is that of Richard Dawkins. Barlow uses citations from The Selfish Gene to show how life is based on the survival down many generations of the gene. Life, Dawkins demonstrates, functions on gene replication. Hence, Gaia, which has no genetic root, cannot be a viable "organism" as postulated by Lovelock. Barlow cites Dawkins' analysis of the evolution of consciousness as "the most powerful passages" in the book.

In an interesting innovation, Barlow concludes the book with some "update" essays by some of the contributors. Margulis, Wilson, John Maynard Smith and others, are given the opportunity to amplify on Barlow's selections. The final submissions are nearly as valuable as the ones she originally used. Her own final essay is an excellent summation and provides a suggestion that the views are perhaps not as disparate as a superficial look might indicate. Superficial this book is not. An outstanding collection and starting point for further reading,
this book is highly recommended.