Social Issues in Science and Technology [Review]


	
	
	




	Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship
	Spring 2000



	DOI:10.5062/F42805K5







Book Reviews


Social Issues in Science and Technology



Julie Wood

Reference Librarian and Information Consultant

Library & Information Center

Georgia Institute of Technology

julie.wood@library.gatech.edu






Social Issues in Science and Technology: An Encyclopedia. David E. 
Newton. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 1999. 352 pp. $ 75.00 (ISBN 0-87436-920-7)




Over the ages, advances in science and technology have invariably been intertwined
with the social issues of their time. Whether they have contributed to the debate
about a particular issue, or have been its cause, new scientific discoveries and
technologies never escape scrutiny. Every field of endeavor must come to terms with
the social implications of these advancements. Likewise, anyone researching a topic
of social significance cannot ignore the science or technology, if present, that
plays a part in it. In our modern culture, these effects are felt more acutely than
ever. 

With his Ed.D. in science education from Harvard University, David E. Newton has
written many books about social issues. This one-volume encyclopedia covers a broad
range of topics. Many of the issues are environmentally based, but that is
indicative of our contemporary world. In addition to discussing issues such as
nuclear power plants, the Salton Sea, hazardous wastes and clearcutting, Newton
also examines human gene therapy, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, and
echinacea. Using a three-part approach, Newton provides a brief background on the
science or technology; the historical context is added to show how the social,
ethical, economic or other issues evolved; the various points of view or positions
on each issue are summarized. 


The entries are not formatted in a cookie-cutter style. Each entry is two to three
pages in length and, while not exhaustive, provides even-handed coverage of the
issue. No judgements are made and no conclusions are drawn. The author remains
appropriately detached and unbiased. The text is easy to read without being
simplistic. Difficult concepts are explained succinctly and jargon is avoided. Two
especially useful features are the subject bibliographies (most including web
sites) at the end of each section and the selected bibliography at the end of the
volume. 


Although the alphabetic organization is easy to use, some common terms, such as
pollution, are broken down into more specialized topics such as feedlot pollution,
methyl bromide and radon. These fine gradations are not reflected in the index
under pollution. It is necessary to utilize the see-references for the entry
entitled pollution instead. 


Social Issues in Science and Technology is a valuable resource for school
libraries, public libraries and two-year colleges. While research libraries may not
find it offers the depth of coverage they normally expect, it does provide a good
overview and valuable background information about a wide variety of topics.