The Elusive Magic Bullet: The Search for the Perfect Drug

by John Mann

In his exciting new book, John Mann, author of the highly successful Murder, Magic and Medicine, reveals the history of the drugs that are so commonplace today in the treatment of disease. While we can now treat so many of these illnesses, the side-effects caused by many of these treatments can be severe, and even more worrying ― the bacteria are now becoming more resistant to the drugs (the so-called 'superbugs'). Scientists are also faced with a massive challenge in developing drugs that can effectively treat HIV, ebola, and many forms of cancer, but without the terrible side-effects of such treatments as chemotherapy or AZT ― this is the quest for the `magic bullet.' The book starts with a history of drug development, introducing us to some of the fascinating characters whose work so influenced the search for these drugs. Leading up to the present day, and the exciting advances being made within molecular biology, the book provides a lively, and fascinating introduction for non-scientists to one of the most exciting fields of activity within modern medicine.

209 pages, Hardcover

First published March 18, 1999

Reviews

[Aarjun Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A interesting book on a subject that is seldom thought of, for people not working or currently working in the field ( as myself), the book does highlight the mind set of people in the field that the answer for efficacy of anti biotic drugs (new) need to be engineered by man, when the answer clearly is in nature, but, there is no profit in plants, tee tree oil, turmeric, hemp oil etc, as it cannot be patented, which the book leaves out, either by design or a reflection on the training given to persons with in the big pharma industry, which the aim is to manufacture money not drugs, the book is a means to a end in my opinion, showing how close we as a species are to having a great plague, by our compliance and acquiescence to the big money making Corporations, aka our overlords,