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BOOK REVIEW |
Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX
Summon up the Blood tells the story of the most outstanding achievement of experimental hematology research, and its translation from fundamental biology to widespread clinical application, of the last century. It is told by the acknowledged king, whose hand, literally, has been predominant throughout. This autobiographical biography of the Hemopoietic Growth Factors is, in truth, neither fully auto- nor biographical but, to be fair, the author has no false illusions that it is. What emerges is a fascinating story, wisely uncluttered with references, aiming to set down the key details before irreversible amnesia sets in. It is clear that Metcalf feels that recent reviews of the subject do not always fairly portray those who did the work, and so he exhorts "readers to go back to the literature and establish exactly who did what and when" where "they may find some surprises;" a scenario familiar to those of us who have been around for a while, who more and more are having to witness, and often endure, endless reinventions of the wheel.
Metcalf reflects on the research process and how it has changed (one senses he feels it has not always been for the better), over the 35 years of this project. He demonstrates the value of scrupulous attention to detail and to standards; how technical developments can transform the progress of a task. While recognizing the role biotechnology companies now play in developing and bringing factors like the CSFs to the clinic, he castigates them for their ethically indefensible reluctance to proceed with necessary trials for purposes that may be useful but not necessarily economically profitable. He bemoans the excess seduction of young graduates into molecular biology with its "presumed ability to render cellular and whole animal studies obsolete," blaming it for a "near-disastrous shortage of experimental biologists" who appreciate the importance of physiology. As Metcalf says, "Molecular biology is a powerful technology but is essentially useless without parallel expertise in cell biology and whole-animal analyses"—an obvious truism perhaps, but the reminder is pertinent.
Although the need to purify the CSFs was apparent, the process was clearly a bore, amplified into gigantic and costly proportions over many years by a lack of the technology we now take for granted. The reading here also gets a little tedious but allows a further insight: how it enabled them to deviate from the beaten track and explore exciting side paths. While admitting a modern group, driven by the now required competitive commercial streak, would not countenance such an indirect approach, Metcalf is unapologetic, and justifiably so, in claiming he would do the same again, its being important to understand the biology, "not simply to generate reagents." Major contributions to our current understanding of the basic process of hemopoiesis resulted.
In the field of hematology, Don Metcalf is a figure we all look up to. It was good, therefore, to see that he too is human. He assures us of his egalitarian approach and the importance of the research family, but hints at rivalries. Importantly, he admits to failures; frustrations of delays from experiments not working and of being pipped at the post for publication. He admits to ‘cock-ups’ without recrimination. He hints at black magic, but stops short of blaming voodoo. Regrettably, I feel the book's appeal may be limited to those whose life-blood is in summoning up the blood, to those who recognize the dramatis personae. This will be unfortunate. It could be valuable for up-and-coming scientists' appreciation of the research process and their recognition that not everything, even in the lab of a good and successful story, is glamour. A number of prima donnas (especially the self-styled) would do well to read it also.
Reviews of Summon up the Blood can be accessed at www.alphamedpress.org
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