My Lifelong Fight Against Disease: From Polio and AIDS to COVID-19

by William A. Haseltine

Anticipating a career in medicine, Dr. William A. Haseltine was in his first weeks of graduate studies at Harvard when a legendary physician-scientist offered this “You can do more for human health through science than you ever could as a doctor.” That advice hit him “like a thunderbolt”—and he took it. Since then, Dr. Haseltine has helped combat cancers, worked to contain the HIV/AIDS pandemic and unlocked the power of the human genome to develop dozens of new pharmaceutical cures. His discoveries in molecular biology and genomics, amplified through his counsel at the highest levels of government and in the public eye, have improved the health and lives of millions of people around the world. For the first time, Dr. Haseltine tells his life story—which is still unfolding—in My Lifelong Fight Against Disease, including facing devastating public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlighting exhilarating moments of medical discovery. In writing the story of his wide-ranging career, Dr. Haseltine’s goals are to encourage the next generation to make their own significant contribution to human life, and for all readers to appreciate science as a humanistic enterprise. A compulsively readable and fast paced insider’s account of some of the most brilliant medical breakthroughs in modern history, My Lifelong Fight Against Disease is a candid, evocative and ultimately revelatory exploration into what it means to make science your life.

504 pages, Hardcover

Published February 16, 2021

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Haseltine, Ph.D.

William Haseltine is an American scientist, educator, entrepreneur, author and philanthropist. At bottom, however, Haseltine is a humanitarian who strives to improve human health and welfare. He writes, "I knew early on that a life of healing was for me. As a four-year-old standing next to my mother's sickbed, terrified she might die from sepsis, my purpose began to form: to make a difference to human health." Haseltine opted for a career in medical science, and obtained a B.A. in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in biophysics from Harvard University.

Haseltine was a go-getter from an early age, excelling in school as he grew up in China Lake, California - one of the world's most formidable centers for advanced weapons research.


William Haseltine's science fair project about frog anatomy


William Haseltine's science fair project about bacteria

Haseltine's scientist father designed deadly weapons while his mother - who suffered from bipolar disorder - loved gastronomy and culture. When young Bill's mother was well enough she took him to fine dining restaurants, museums, theatres, symphonies, dance performances, etc. Thus Bill grew up with an intense interest in science AND the arts.

With his mother's encouragement, teenage Bill participated in a summer voyage to Japan sponsored by the Naval League, a pilgrimage to the United Nations coordinated by a service society called the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, and a post-high school trip to Western Europe. On the European continent, Bill visited as many art museums, cathedrals, battlefields, monuments, forts, castles, and Roman sites as possible, and made sure to dine in some of Europe's finest eateries - where he ordered two of every course: two appetizers, two first courses, two second courses, and two or three desserts. (Ahhh, the metabolism of youth. 🙂) These activities and learning opportunities expanded Bill's horizons well beyond those of the average young man.

Haseltine's university education coincided with a surge in federal funding for science and science education, spurred by Russia's launch of Sputnik in 1957. America was determined to catch up with - and surpass - Russia's accomplishments in science. Haseltine writes, "New energy and enthusiasm for science and technology programs fed rapidly into the ranks of me and my peers in high school and colleges."

The push for science expanded Haseltine's opportunities at Berkeley, where he was mentored by George Pimentel - chair of the chemistry department;


George Pimentel, Chemistry Professor, UC Berkeley

at MIT - where he had a summer internship with biophysicist Alex Rich;


Alex Rich, Biophysicist, MIT

and at Harvard - where he worked with molecular biologist James Watson (who discovered the structure of DNA with Francis Crick).


James Watson, Molecular Biologist, Harvard University

Haseltine met many Nobel Prize winners along the way, who served as both inspirations and teachers. Haseltine also became a political activist during his years at Berkeley, which was the hub of protests against the Vietnam War. This activism led to Haseltine doing investigative journalism in later years.


UC Berkeley was a hub for antiwar protests in the 1960s

As a graduate student at Harvard, Haseltine developed an interest in DNA: how it copies itself, how it codes for proteins, what makes diverse cells of a single individual (all of which have the same DNA) different from each other, etc. Haseltine also studied viruses, which were responsible for the polio scourge of Haseltine's youth, and are associated with various cancers. Haseltine explains his research in detail, and - though technical - the explanations should be accessible to interested lay readers.


Polio, caused by the poliovirus, was an epidemic in the 1950s

In time, Haseltine became a professor at Harvard, and used his knowledge and expertise to create more than a dozen biotechnology companies; to contribute to new cures for cancer, HIV/AIDS, anthrax, lupus, and diabetes; and to accelerate the discoveries of many other medicines.


William Haseltine working at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard University



William Haseltine was a warrior in the fight against HIV/AIDS

Haseltine has also partnered with medical experts in many countries; influenced public policy at the highest levels; and improved human health around the world. He writes, "Over the past fifteen years, I have created two foundations with wealth from my business ventures, one to foster collaboration between the arts and science, and another to advise governments around the world on how to bring high-quality, affordable healthcare to all their people."

To advance his causes, Haseltine has collaborated with well known people in many fields, and notes, "I have had the privilege of forming lifelong friendships with world-renowned actors, artists, musicians, writers, economists, business titans, military men and women, and politicians." Among people he's known or worked with, Haseltine includes Dr. Anthony Fauci, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Holbrooke, Henry Kissinger, George W. Bush, John Kenneth Galbraith, and a gamut of famous scientists and researchers.


Actress Elizabeth Taylor was an early and tireless HIV/AIDS activist

The core of Haseltine's biography revolves around his scientific accomplishments, but the author also includes compelling anecdotes about his parents, grandparents, siblings, and upbringing in China Lake; stories about his world travels; gossip about his academic rivals (science research can be a cutthroat business); descriptions of the books he's written; overviews of the establishment and funding of his biotechnology companies (which should be of interest to business aficionados); and a description of the publication he's putting together about the coronavirus pandemic, for which he's a consultant.


William Haseltine made a trip to China for the US-China Health Summit in Wuhan


William Haseltine has written numerous books


William Haseltine is a consultant about the coronavirus pandemic

Some of the scientific sections are a bit muddled, but I found the book interesting and informative. My major quibbles are that Haseltine toots his own horn quite a bit, and says almost nothing about his wives and children, which seems like an odd omission in a biography.

Thanks to Netgalley, William Haseltine, and Amplify Publishing for a copy of the book.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of science

I enjoyed this book. Because Dr. Haseltine was involved politically and is generally philosophical, it is a story about his times, not just about him. It also constitutes a fairly good history of science. I found many of the anecdotes amusing and the book is thoughtful and well-written. Dr. Haseltine is obviously a very accomplished man, but I found some of the statements he makes self-congratulatory, even though true. All-in-all, this is a book well worth reading.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.

[Ivory Castle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In addition to being prominent in his field Dr Haseltine is a successful writer who has dealt with Congress, media and the stock market. Leading a life rich with experience he has touched and changed so many different areas of society. When he decided to devote his life to healing through science the world became a better place even if at times he had to fight to be believed.
Opportunities to read books like this allow me to keep informed and increase my understanding of science. I gained a lot more than expected and remain in awe of this inspiring and amazing man.
I was amused by the Senators reaction to Elizabeth Taylor’s oral sex question. I was also interested to learn twenty to thirty percent of all colds are caused by coronavirus cousins of COVID-19.
If he didn’t have such an easy to understand way of explaining things some of the detail would have gone over my head.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of the book in return for an honest review

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and Inspiratioal

I have no doubt this book was written to inspire high school and college students to find, follow and methodically pursue their passion. 😍

The wisdom, information and world view presented by Dr. Baseline are priceless. I think this is a must read for all of our children as they come of age.

Thank you Dr. Haseltine.

[Allyssa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t finish this book. I loved it, but it is long and I ran out of time.
Length-a bit too long, but good story
Plot-great It’s an amazing story, from AIDS to COVID-19.
Formatting- Good
My rating is not biased on length, so it gets 4 Stars, it would have gotten 2.5 it I considered length a factor.
Got this as an ARC copy.