In the Darker Shadow of Science

This autobiography covers three and a half
decades in the life of a scientist dedicated to finding a
solution to the most difficult problem faced by medicine
ancient and modern; cancer. Seriously disadvantaged by
already being in his early forties at the commencement of
the project, out of a job, and by the lack of a medical
qualification, the author was beguiled by a revolutionary
idea; namely, that modulation of energy metabolism within
cancer cells might perhaps be the key to controlling the
growth of malignant tumours in the body. In this way the
concept of achieving selective destruction of cancerous
cells in the living body was followed right through from an
original hypothesis to helping patients. Inevitably the
science occupies a central part of the narrative. Technical
details have therefore been simplified with a predominantly
lay readership in mind. Throughout a career spanning almost
fifty years the author has taken an essentially pragmatic
view of science, keenly feeling, in the company of many
others, that scientists are under an obligation to advance
the human condition in terms of health and social
improvement. This is a book both ahead of its time and
reflecting current circumstances. Against a background of
growing concern at the alarming consequences of the
increasing spread of radioactivity over the planet,
fundamental contributions to the understanding of cell death
have been made, which in turn led to the establishment of a
simple, safe and inexpensive prototype therapy successful in
an encouraging number of cases. A chance acquaintanceship
revealed the identity of the anti-cancer agent of ultimate
choice. The publication on the internet of a self-medication
protocol opened up valuable contacts in Australia. As the
project progressed scientifically and clinically, not only
did support fall away but opposition also grew to a point at
which peer communication has largely broken down in an
atmosphere increasingly charged with hostility. Unable to
persuade the medical profession and a sufficient number of
patients in this country that the new treatment had anything
to offer the victims of cancer, demoralisation has gradually
set in. The conclusion is drawn that no matter how closely a
general solution to the cancer problem is neared, advances
in treatment will be deliberately restricted to minor,
inefficient, highly costly steps. As scientific biography
goes the story is more than unusual; it is explosive. Step
by step an age-old enigma is seen to be logically
unravelled, beginning with a premonition and leading to
ultimate scientific success. James Watson's highly
successful autobiography, The Double Helix (1968), is the
best known example of comparable works in the genre. The
reader follows the central character across the switchbacks
of success and failure, sharing emotional highs and lows.
Despite running into an occasional blind alley, the central
problem was kept in steady focus throughout. Progress
largely depended upon a combination of persistence and
serendipity. The work ends on an ambivalent note; had the
effort of a lifetime been foolishly squandered, or was the
hope that one day vindication might be achieved genuine and
not illusory? Let the reader judge.