Life at the Cell and Below-Cell Level: The Hidden History of a Fundamental Revolution in Biology

by Gilbert N. Ling

The author's biggest concern is that the association-induction (AI) hypothesis has not yet replaced the membrane-pump theory in high school and college curricula (Ling doubts cells have the energy to pump). He outlines the rise and slow fall of the membrane and membrane pump theories, and the growth of AI. Ling who has written several books published by Blaisdell, Perseus, and Krieger is an employee of the Fonar Corporation, makers of MRI devices and the parent company of Pacific Press, whose only book this is to date. The volume's production values and editorial standards are not first rate, perhaps to keep the price low in hopes of wide distribution. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Genres: Science, Health, Biology

373 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2001

Reviews

[Sebastien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been questioning the validity of the membrane and its pumps myself during my first few years of university (specifically the energy required for pumps, permeabilities, etc) but not being able to go through and find the literature of said subject myself, this book was a breath of fresh air from every other scientific textbook/literature. Ling does a great job of going through the history of the membrane theory and its (seemingly unending) evolution, up-to-date empirical evidence against it, and explaining his association-induction hypothesis, which all makes sense from principles of chemistry & physics, and experimental biological/physiological results from both his lab(s) and other's - unlike what seems to be human constructs when the membrane & pump theory gets stumped (pumps to explain "weird" membrane permeabilities, etc). And then some: there are many things I enjoyed from this read (side-stories, high-energy phosphate bonds, etc). Although a lot of references are from his own work, I still think he uses enough "outside" repeatability references that his hypothesis needs to be taken more seriously by others, and be included in students' education if not replace the current membrane theory (Gerald Pollack's work seems to help in this regard...). Holy-long-winded review - enjoy ;)

EDIT/ADD: about Ling having most support from his own work, it's important to consider that many don't dare to go against something because of job security in the field; hence, I think, if aware of his work, most aren't ready to take the risk (heard many stories of job loss - even suicide - from similar events in the book). Fortunately, Ling, having been a primary help of the discovery of MRI, got helping funds when him and his group got kicked from their lab in PA. Having said that, again, his theory is based on basic principles of chemistry, etc, and not magical constructs to help a theory stay alive (probably because admittance, and starting almost anew, is a hard thing to do)...

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Pollack's Cells and Gels book, Ling's Life at the Cell and Below is a very technical description of the basis for a fourth state of water in cells as Pollack now often narrates. Pollack attributes his initial interest in this state of water to conversations he had with Ling in his early career. This, like many Science books is a difficult read but is very well referenced and remains dedicated to its topic. There's also an excellent glossary for the book in the back of the book, useful to readers unfamiliar with specific terms/words used in the text. I wish I could say this author excites me with this topic but I can't; perhaps it's because I've already read the more lucid author, Gerald Pollack.