Description
Book SynopsisA new therapeutic strategy could break the stalemate in the war on cancer by targeting not all cancerous cells but the small fraction that lie at the root of cancers. Lucie Laplane offers a comprehensive analysis of cancer stem cell theory, based on an original interdisciplinary approach that combines biology, biomedical history, and philosophy.
Trade ReviewLaplane places us right in the center of an urgently important discussion of cancer stem cells and the therapies that should accompany different theories. Her fresh philosophical perspective introduces us to a science in process, where the outcome is unknown and even the terms of debate remain contested. -- Jane Maienschein, author of
Embryos under the MicroscopeIf you had doubts about the utility of philosophy for science, read this book. Its lucid exploration of stem cells will convince you that even cancer therapy can benefit from the lights of philosophy. -- Michel Morange, author of
A History of Molecular BiologyBuilds a much broader framework for understanding the biology of stem cells of all types…Laplane’s rigorous analyses unveil deep semantic and conceptual problems in the field…Laplane’s stemness framework should be of great value…A philosopher may indeed have straightened out the stem-cell field. -- Hans Clever * Nature *
