Review of "My Lifelong Fight Against Disease: From Polio and AIDS to Covid 19" by William A. Haseltine, PhD

 

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.

Rating: 4 stars