Evolution of Infectious Disease

by Paul W. Ewald

Findings from the field of evolutionary biology are yielding dramatic insights for health scientists, especially those involved in the fight against infectious diseases. This book is the first in-depth presentation of these insights. In detailing why the pathogens that cause malaria, smallpox, tuberculosis, and AIDS have their special kinds of deadliness, the book shows how efforts to control virtually all diseases would benefit from a more thorough application of evolutionary principles. When viewed from a Darwinian perspective, a pathogen is not simply a disease-causing agent, it is a self-replicating organism driven by evolutionary pressures to pass on as many copies of itself as possible. In this context, so-called "cultural vectors"--those aspects of human behavior and the human environment that allow spread of disease from immobilized people--become more important than ever. Interventions to control diseases don't simply hinder their spread but can cause pathogens and the
diseases they engender to evolve into more benign forms. In fact, the union of health science with evolutionary biology offers an entirely new dimension to policy making, as the possibility of determining the future course of many diseases becomes a reality. By presenting the first detailed explanation of an evolutionary perspective on infectious disease, the author has achieved a genuine milestone in the synthesis of health science, epidemiology, and evolutionary biology. Written in a clear, accessible style, it is intended for a wide readership among professionals in these fields and general readers interested in science and health.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Medicine, Biology, Evolution, Health

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1993

Reviews

[C Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in college back in the mid-90s as part of my medical anthropology course list and was entranced by its implications immediately. It is one of my favorite nonfiction books to this day. My eager mind soaked up the ideas and theories Ewald was espousing and I became a devoted believer in the power of vectors, genetics, and bio-organisms to deliver sickness, death, and even disease immunity to humanity. This was powerful stuff at the time...and still is in many circles. But it is no longer as theoretical in the strictest sense. The medical and scientific communities seem to be catching on, (but this is more a general sense that a conclusion drawn from exhaustive research). Ewald's a genius in my mind for basically starting the field of evolutionary medicine. A Google Scholar search reveals over 15,000 results ("paul ewald infectious disease").

Highly recommended for those interested in epidemiology, disease and illness, clinical implications, genetics, and evolutionary pressures to survive and reproduce. Some have said it was overly technical, but other reviewers have said it was written in plain language. Nonetheless, it contains tons of research and is not a light summer read. I found it to be well-written, easy-to-follow and wholly awe-inspiring.

[Mason Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

A covid read. Fascinating insight into viral and bacterial spread, necessary reading before you start spouting on about diseases.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a hard time getting into biology. I find most biologist I've read are stuck in a language and mindset that doesn't really serve themselves. Poor naming conventions, a reliance on wrought knowledge as opposed to a construction of first principles, etc. Outside of schrodinger's what is life, this is by far the most readable book of biology i've attempted to read and that may be that it is systems biology(not sure if this is the case just guessing). It's heavily referenced, historical but not overtly so, and very readable. Ebola and HIV are two of the main topics.

I could have used a little more mathematics to explain why epidemiologists model work the way that they do but this isn't a textbook so I'll just go elsewhere for that.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it a bit dry compared to other science nonfiction that I’ve read. I also thought that the author could have done a better job in explaining their theories. Still, valuable information and well researched, so I give it three stars instead of two.

[Ben Name · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes you think deeply about nature