34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Integration of physiology and evolution, January 14, 2007
This review is from: The Tinkerer's Accomplice: How Design Emerges from Life Itself (Hardcover)
Turner's first book (The Extended Organism) was interesting, and well written. The same is true of this book but I would add a third descriptor as well, ambitious. Turner acknowledges at the start that some readers may be inclined to throw the book across the room in disgust, so he asks the reader's indulgence to stay with him to the end of the book. I think persistence will be rewarded with some very intriguing insights and a very challenging thesis.
First, Turner is attempting an integration of physiology with evolution. Second, he is using his integration to explain what he sees as an ignored problem, obvious design in the form and functioning of animals. Turner refers, somewhat indirectly, to a frequently mentioned problem with the results of modern DNA sequencing of whole genomes. There aren't enough genes to specify all of the complex structure and function that we see in animals. So where does it come from if we are not going to just leave the problem for intelligent design advocates to exploit? Turner's answer is homeostatic mechanisms, the ability of organisms to regulate their internal structure and function within narrow limits. A really fun part of the book for me was his series of examples on muscle and bone structure, circulation, embryogenesis and development, and intestines. Turner is a wonderful writer as he models thinking like a physiologist. Tuner's point is that each of his examples can be thought of as a Bernard Machine, named after the French physiologist who first identified the central role of homeostasis in physiology. Each of his examples show how homostasis can produce (design) an adapted structure that is not directly a result of genes.
Then Turner wisely admits that the thesis of his next section is where the reader's irritation is likely to build. Homeostasis can be used as an explanation for the origins of consciousness. I told you that this book was ambitious. I will be very interested in seeing if anybody takes up Turner's hypothesis as the basis for a research program. This idea really needs some more data. I, for one, would like to see somebody try to flesh out this idea.
A year of two ago, a writer in the journal Science pointed out that comparative physiology had become something of a moribund research discipline. That writer's suggested solution was the use of gene expression patterns by using DNA chips. Turner may well have presented another way to energize the field, integrate physiology into evolution in a really deep way, similar to what has happened to developmental biology recently.
I am tentatively convinced by Turner's arguments; they are reasonable if speculative at times. Turner points out that he doesn't think that any of the ideas in his book originate with him. He is just trying to put them together in a coherent form. I hope that biologists don't just ignore him.
One problem that readers will face in this book has nothing to do with the ideas but rather the presentation. Sometimes the material is quite accessable and other times it can be challenging. The neurobiology can be slow going. The general reader may have difficulty in places; the trained biologist will not have significant difficulty. The conversational style of writing and Turner's obvious enthusiasm will carry any reader along.
Read this book and let the debate begin.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring!, June 15, 2008
This review is from: The Tinkerer's Accomplice: How Design Emerges from Life Itself (Hardcover)
Turner's book is definitely one of the most inspiring I've read in the past few years. In present day biology, most research is dedicated to molecular biology: understanding the structure, sequence and interactions of DNA, proteins and other small biochemical molecules. There exists a hiatus between these intricate details and the beautiful form and function that we see in the living world around us. Most efforts to fill this gap are focusing on 'omics' - the field of science that tries to map the interaction networks and information flow among these small and diverse biochemical species.
Turner opens up a window to physiology that lets a fresh breeze into this high-tech world of current biology. By giving a list of beautiful examples of how function and phenotype are following from active maintenance of homeostasis, he shows how form, function and dysfunction arise from the striving for balance in living systems. The examples are clear and well-written, and the book should be easy to follow by people with a high school-level of biology.
In the second part of the book, Turner shows that the physiological processes from the examples are also involved in the process of natural selection. Moreover, he tries to show that the human intentionality - trying to shape the world to your own ideals - is not fundamentally different from other, more simple, living systems interacting with their environment.
The first part of the book is clear, concise and written with a nice pace. However, the second part of the book seems almost rushed. It makes controversial points in quick succession, jumping from the origin of life to the hereditability of physiologically shaped internal and external environments to intentionality in design of the living world, without taking the time to build up the argument in the way this is done in the first part of the book. I think it's a real shame that the book isn't a little bit longer. Turner should have taken the time to clarify his ideas, which are big steps to take, even for (or maybe especially for) the trained biologist. Turner is an inspiring scientist (with an emphasis on scientist; this book has nothing to do with the movement of "Intelligent Design") and his points and ideas still linger in my head when I philosophize a bit about biology. Still, he should have been more patient in trying to convince his readers to adapt his way of thinking about biology and evolution. Maybe in a next book; I sure hope this wasn't his last one.
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