It is therefore imperative that science, especially its histories, becomes a more vital part of our public culture. Apart from the compelling personal stories and nature of discovery, historical analysis of science equips us all with the skills to participate in public policy discussions about the priorities of publicly funded research, including the future of the genome project, the use of stem-cells, and the implications of global warming, just to name a few.
There are now at least a dozen or more African American historians working productively in the field, specializing in the history of medicine and disease in the United States and Europe. The books by these and other scholars alone will not transform the present state of science in America. But, when combined with outreach efforts and mentoring activities, the history of science, medicine and technology will provide our best and brightest students with the intellectual rationale necessary to enrich society's knowledge about our universe.
— Dr. Douglas M. Haynes is an associate professor of history at the University of California, Irvine.
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