Book Review: Alparslan Acikgenc: Islamic Science: Towards a Definitio​n

This remarkable book packs a lot of intellectual punch in a relatively compact yet accessible volume, especially considering its focus on the scientific rather than the ethical aspects of vivisection. Here, the prominent Italian doctor, professor and medical researcher from Milan, Pietro Croce, tackles the problem of live animal experimentation (vivisection) from the scientific, methodological and medical rather than from the ethico-moral point of view.

To quote from the back cover:

He highlights the increasing dangers to human health resulting from the animal experimenter's [unexamined and unproven] assumption that the biological systems of humans and other species are sufficiently similar for valid biomedical comparison. And for the medical researcher, he provides an introduction to the range of alternative methods, including epidemiological research, computer simulation and in vitro techniques.

The book consists of a very brief one-page introduction which sets out his aim to reach both the medical professionals and the educated public by avoiding unnecessary technical jargon without however sacrificing "scientific rigor, so that those who possess a suitable scientific background will be helped to take their first steps, perhaps, towards a science that is in need of radical renewal" (p. vii).

Journal of Islam & Science, Vol. 3 (Summer 2005) No. 1

Adi Setia

Adi Setia is the founding director of IGE Advisory, which is dedicated to consulting, teaching and researching in the Islamic Gift Economy framework. He is also the co-founder of the Program for Ethical, Appropriate & Regenerative Livelihoods (PEARL).