Journal of Social Development in Africa (1991), 6,2,91-103
Book Reviews
Triple Jeopardy: Women and AIDS, Panos Institute, London, 1990 (104 pp, price not
known, ISBN 1 870670 20 5).
In Triple Jeopardy the authors focus on the three fold impact ofIllV/AIDS on women as
carers, as infected persons. and as mothers who may infect their babies. It is a wellresearched,
thought provoking, balanced, and sensitive publication. It should prove very
useful for AIDS service organisations, and for a wide range of community organisations,
policy makers and concerned individuals. It is, of course, of particular relevance to women
and women's organisations.
The book has seven chapters covering epidemiology, the mechanics of risk, questions
of choice, reproductive issues, pediatrics, economics and prevention strategies.
It examines the impact of AIDS on women in diverse settings, from sex workers in Asia
and Australia to poor rural women in Africa, to middle class professional women in Africa,
Europe and the USA. The authors quote World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that
of the eight to ten million people thought to have already contracted HN, one third are
women. WHO estimates that the year 2000 75-80% of HN infections will have resulted
from heterosexual intercourse. This places heterosexual behaviour change at the centre of
prevention strategies. However, Triple Jeopardy highlights the enormous difficulties in
achieving such change because of fundamental socioeconomic and cultural factors. These
are welli11ustrated throughout the book along with examples of current strategies to promote
such behaviour change and supportive attitudes. Some of the most telling examples used
are flIst person accounts which enormously ermch the whole book.
The authors conclude that HN is not merely a medical issue but raises fundamental
i$sues of equity between the sexes and between regions of the world which are at the heart
of the development debate. Without radical change, women, and particularly the most
disadvantaged women in the poorest communities around the world, will remain in Triple
Jeopardy (pp91-92). Thus the authors strongly advocate improving women's economic
and social status to promote effective control of AIDS, and to mobilise support for infected
people.
The style is highly readable and engaging, with numerous personal quotes and
comments. The text is broken up with information boxes, case studies, and examples of
education material, and uses the format of the three earlier Panos books on AIDS. Triple
Jeopardy is shorter than theprevious books, but maintains a similar high standard of factual
content, breadth and readability. While it does stand on its own, it usefully complements
the previous publications.
The bookis comprehensively researched and tightly referenced, although one limitation
is the lack of an index. A detailed index would make it easier to access material on specific
issues where, from the contents section alone, coverage is not immediately obvious. An
index could usefully cover factual subjects, such as female condoms or prostitution, for
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92 lJoolRninw
exunple, uwell ugeographical references. The book's utility could also be enhanced by
more developed examples of Ittategies for education and change. However it in no way
purports to be a 'how so' manual so this may be an unfair criticism. Its aim is to increase
infonnation and awareness, and SOstimulate discussion and appropriate action bued on
sound analysis. Inthese aims it should succeed very well.
Reviewed by Helen Jackson, Lecturer, School of Social Work. Harare.
Miracle or Menace? Biotechnology and the Third World, Robert Walgate, Panos
Institute, 1990 (199 pp, price not stated, ISBN 1 870670 18 3).
The word biotechnology is emotive. Recently, I wrote an article arguing that science cannot
be separated from emotion, though the temptation is to say 'Stop being emotional and
appI'oach the matter in a scientific way'. Scientifically, biotechnology is almost a miracle
(Science doesn't believe in miracles !).It is leading science into discoveries and possibilities
beyond that which many laypeople could imagine is possible. But this also is the menace.
I remember Pat Mooney giving a talk at a Conference in Harare two years ago. He warned
that when approaching the issue of biotechnology a basic Law of Technology should not be
forgotten. He phrased it as follows: ŤAny new technology introduced into a society which
is oot timdamentally just will exacerbate the disparities between rich and poor". [On page
107 there is an interesting printing error, instead of 'so patients can be identified early' it
reads 'so patents can be identified early'. Is biotechnology as it is being researched and
applied more interested in the patents or the patients?}
While reading Miracle or Menace? Biotechnology and the Third World, both the
Development Dialogue 1988 issue ''The Laws of Life" and the New Internationalist 1991
issue "Test Tube Coup. Biotech's Global Takeover" were important to me. I would certainly
recommend that all three publications are read to gain a comprehensive picture of the
implications of this (terrifying?) new technology. Miracle or Menace is the one to start
with, because it has an accessible style, helped by useful informational inserts which give
point by point explanations on topics such as Recombinant DNA, .plant cells, vaccines, etc.
Miracle or Menacecovers themainareas of biotechnology application and controversy,
its potential use and abuse in agriculture and food processing, how itcan help improve world
health, ownenmpof plant genetic resources (most of which come from South, but are being
altered and patented by the North), and the possible unforeseen environmental dangers that
could be caused by therelease of novel organisms into the environment. But for some reason
it makes no mention of the potential use of biotechnology in biological warfare, nor how
research in this direction is going fast ahead. Perhaps the subject is too controversial, or the
information so classified that it is impossible to report on it satisfactorily.
Anotlw criticism I would make is that the book fails to question the whole premise on
which modem science seems to be based, ie treating the symptom rather than looking for
the real cause. A good example of this is in agriculture.' The real cause of the problem is
that agricultural science continues to look for ways of dominating nature, hoping to
understand and control its incredible complexiiy instead of working with it. The proposed
directions for biotechnology are a continuation of this trend. Any discussion of its beneficill
potential or dangers needs instead to debate this timdamentaI issue and not presume that