Perspectives in Biology and Medicine

BIOLOGY IN THE FUTURE JONAS E. SALK* Principally through his pursuits in the sciences, man has discovered his power to overcome his subservience to nature; and with this has come a taste for, and a devotion to, the idea ofhuman betterment. This new hope and new-found power first developed and grew spontaneously and then spread explosively. Although there will always be more to know, man is already in possession ofmore knowledge than means for its application. While he is concerned with threats to survival by self-induced disaster, man's principal personal and social preoccupation appears to be dissatisfaction with his lot in life and his need for goals that are satisfying; he is possessed by a strong urge to improve the worthwhileness ofliving. I find it difficult to dismiss the idea that the basic question ofthe present time, perhaps underlying all others, is a biological one and concerns our understanding ofthe nature ofman. Intentionally, I will not be more explicit because it is the very vagueness of the meaning of the term—the nature ofman—to which I draw attention; it is a term that means something different to differentpeople. Man's nature—which includeshis needs, strivings, hopes, and aspirations—requires understanding based upon ideas that would mean the same to all, that it may become part ofthe substance and substratum of man's thoughts, and that it may provide not only a basis for fulfilling his needs but for the establishment ofethics and values that would be comprehensible to all. Biologists have developed a degree of understanding of their subject that makes it possible to interpret or speculate about many aspects ofhuman life. Many ofthe facts ofbiology have been assembled into structures * University ofPittsburgh School ofMedicine, Virus Research Laboratory. This paper was presented April 8, 19Ö1, at the Centennial Celebration ofMassachusetts Institute ofTechnology, Cambridge , Massachusetts. 423 ofideas from which models can be built which might help man develop a more reasonable and realistic view of himself and his fellow man. If he could see himselfin historical and dynamic perspective, this might serve as a basis for a common understanding, and a regard and respect for others and for himself, that could reduce the destructive tendency ofman toward man, and of man toward himself. Biology and Man Man is distinguished from other animals by the long postnatal development period leading to physical, mental, emotional, and social maturity; and further because there is the possibility, during adult life, ofcontinued development as a contributing, creative person. The inborn pattern ofeach individual allows limited modification after birth, but enough to permit continued argument about nature versus nurture , or the innate versus the experiential. The pertinent question is whether it is possible to treat the early plastic or modifiable stage ofman in a way that may increase the probability of making more prominent what might be considered his good human qualities and capabilities. Is there a mechanism by which this might be brought about? Man is born with the capacity to sense and to react to his environment. It is not necessary for a biologist to tell you that individuals vary widely in sensitivity and ability. Nor is it necessary for you to have expert testimony that a given set ofconditions or circumstances is, by and large, likely to elicit a particular type ofresponse. Thus, it would be reasonable to conclude that there is likely to be some correspondence between the behavior and orientation ofan individual and the experiences to which he was exposed early in life. Absolutely uniform response would not be expected, but there should be a tendency toward the establishment ofone or another character pattern. Ifthis does not follow, it would be ofinterest to know why; and we would then have a clearer understanding ofthe meaning of nature versus nurture. Following this line ofthought, let us presume, for the moment, that the central nervous system (CNS) is like the reticulo-endothelial system (RES —which is another term for the immunologic system) and that both contain , at the time of birth, sets of inborn capabilities for reaction which can be elicited by exposure to appropriate stimuli. Although we are assuming likenesses in some respects, it is necessary to agree...