edited by
A. Alonso Aquirre, Richard S. Ostfield, Gary M. Tabor, Carol House and Mary
Pearl. Oxford University Press,
Oxford and New York 2002.
407 pages. ISBN 0-19-515093-7
The term conservation medicine has come to the fore in recent years, as has
the related discipline of ecosystem health. The former is the prime concern
of this book which is described in the Preface as a broad survey of the
intersection of ecology and health sciences as it applies to achieving a
more sustainable future for our species and others. In fact, it is the
outcome of a conference held in 1999 at the White Oak Plantation and
Conservation Center in Florida, USA, which brought together people from a
range of disciplines to discuss what were considered to be the key
components of conservation.
The history of this book is reflected in the format of this book. There are
five parts, covering I. Ecological Health and Change, II Monitoring
Ecological Health, III. Ecological Health and Humans, IV. Implementing
Conservation Medicine, and V. Conservation Medicine and Challenges for the
Future. There are 65 contributors to 29 chapters (many are, understandably,
in view of the books interdisciplinary theme, multi-authored) but only nine
of these come from outside North America. Eleven authors are Canadians but
the remainder all from the USA their preponderance illustrated, perhaps, by
the fact that, in contrast to the other contributors, they are listed only
by State, not by their country. While this orientation may be
understandable in view of the location of the 1999 conference, it is
disappointing to note the paucity (possibly the absence?) of indigenous
Africans or Asians even as co-authors. If the proponents of conservation
medicine are to achieve their laudable aim, genuine partnerships with poorer
countries are essential. This message is stated repeatedly in the text but
appears not have been put into practice in the organization of the
conference or the compilation of its proceedings.
That said, this book must be considered a landmark in the development of
conservation medicine as a bona fide new discipline. The wide range of
subjects covered, many by specialists in their own field, means that the
publication will serve as an essential reference work for some years to
come. Note must be made of the generosity of the senior editor in making
available a certain number of complimentary copies to institutions in the
developing world: this will do much to counter the reviewers concern
referred to above.
The exact relationship of conservation medicine to ecosystem health remains
unclear. The origins and definition of the latter are clearly discussed in
Chapter 26, where Rapport and colleagues summarize succinctly the debate as
to whether or not there are significant parallels between the health of
complex ecosystems and that of individuals or populations of humans and
other animals. While many significant differences exist, there are
similarities in how (for example), vegetation and animals can respond to,
and recover from, stressors. As an increasing number of medical terms are
now used by ecologists, it behooves members of the two disciplines to work
more closely together.
The design of the overlapping circles on the cover of this book, together
with relevant portions of the text, suggest that conservation medicine might
be used as an umbrella term for human health, animal health and ecosystem
health. This could be criticized on the grounds that, for instance, plant
health is subsumed into a broader and less precise category. The use of the
term conservation medicine can also be challenged on the basis that it
implies a therapeutic approach, with a preponderance of medical
professionals, rather than the prevention of global health problems.
The debate will continue, as is to be expected with any new discipline. In
the meantime, there is no doubt that this book represents an important
landmark in promoting a more holistic approach to our world, its inhabitants
and the health challenges that they will increasingly face in the future.
John E. Cooper, DTVM. FRCPath DECVP, FIBiol, FRCVS
School of Veterinary Medicine
The University of the West Indies