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Preface

Biochemical Individuality: The Basis for the Genetotrophic Concept (1956)

THE WRITING of this book is based upon the need in human biology and medicine for more attention to variability and individuality at the physiological and biochemical levels. The potentialities arising from intensive study in this area are believed to be truly phenomenal because of the widespread existence of critical individual needs which can often be cared for if they are recognized.

Although ancients and moderns alike have called attention to variability and individuality as factors particularly related to disease susceptibility and moderns have recognized that variability is indispensable to evolution, comparatively little research time and effort have been devoted to definitive study in physiology and biochemistry as to precisely how so-called normal individuals differ from each other. Such study necessarily involves repeated observations on the same individuals, in contrast to a series of single observations on representative populations. No attempt to bring together the available biochemical material on normal variation has been previously made so far as I know.

Because of the diverse types of recorded observations which are pertinent to the subject and the fact that many of the observations have been made by those who have had little or no interest in individuality as such, it has not been possible to collect the material for this book in a highly systematic manner. If, for example, one looks up the word "variability" in various indices, virtually nothing is found. Because of the diverse nature of the data it has not been possible to cover at all adequately the various topics on which some information may be available, and incompleteness must be taken for granted. My regret is that the thought, opinions, and data of many individuals, particularly physicians, who may be genuinely interested in the subject, have not been cited. This is partly because an interest in variations and individuality has often been considered a hobby and has not led to serious publications. This field of interest has not gained the respectability that it deserves.

My own particular interest in this subject probably stems from the laboratory observation, over twenty years ago, that, although creatine was described by Beilstein as a bitter biting substance, it was found to be absolutely tasteless to many. About the same time, I noted that some otherwise normal individuals were unable to detect skunk odor. I began to be convinced more than ten years ago that differences between human beings (as well as their similarities) needed to be brought to light, because they are crucially important factors which must be taken into account if many human problems are to be solved. The ideas which grew out of this concept were set forth in two books, The Human Frontier and Free and Unequal. When my interest in this area first developed, I regarded it as considerably divergent from my chosen field of research interest--biochemistry. However, as time has gone on and research results have accumulated, it has become clearer to me that individuality and applied biochemistry are inextricably intertwined. I no longer regard my interest in individuality as a departure from biochemistry.

Individuality in nutritional needs is the basis for the genetotrophic approach and for the belief that nutrition applied with due concern for individual genetic variations, which may be large, offers the solution to many baffling health problems. This certainly is close to the heart of applied biochemistry.

The point of view which has developed as a result of this study has important implications not only for biology and medicine, but also for anthropology, psychology, child development, education, and even religion, business, law, and politics. These implications are, of course, outside the scope of this volume.

Although I am convinced of the substantial truth of the general thesis of this book, I have endeavored to avoid dogmatism or the expression of my ideas with any degree of finality. Much of the evidence presented is far from being as satisfactory as it would have been had the investigations cited been interested in the problem of individuality. Within a relatively few years, it is my hope that much better evidence will be forthcoming which will be the basis for the acceptance and probable modification of the point of view set forth in this volume. It is inevitable that there will be some mistakes and some questions of interpretations which can reasonably be raised. Serious students can be trusted, however, not to discard the basic thesis because they have doubts about a few items.

For the errors of omission and commission I take full responsibility, but I do wish to express my gratitude to my colleagues who have shown forbearance and to those who have given material assistance. The list of those who have contributed ideas, furnished material or citations, or have given substantial moral support includes the following:

Errett C. Albritton
Barry J. Anson
Ernest Beerstecher, Jr.
Helen K. Berry
Otto A. Bessey
Ludwig W. Blau
Oscar Bodansky
William Duane Brown
Helen B. Burch
Leland C. Clark
Konrad Dobriner
Harry J. Deuel, Jr.
L. C. Dunn
Vincent duVigneaud
Charles H. Eades, Jr.
Martin G. Ettlinger
Arthur L. Fox
Daniel H. Funkenstein
John W. Gowen
Alan Gregg
T. F. Gallagher
Arild E. Hansen
Harry Helson
Joel H. Hildebrand
Hudson Hoagland
Julia Outhouse Holmes
T. Duckett Jones
Ancel Keys
C. Glen King
Kenneth Hurley
Elwood H. LaBrosse
William K. Livingston
Pauline Beery
MackRoy B. Mefferd
Herschel K. Mitchell
John P. Nafe
Richard B. Pelton
Gregory Pincus
Oscar Riddle
Lorene L. Rogers
William C. Rose
Frank W. Sayre
Robert W. Shideler
Howard T. Simpson
Robert P. Wagner
Alfred H. Washburn
Robert R. Williams
Lemuel D. Wright

This list does not include a number of students who have contributed citations in connection with their course work and to whom I am most grateful.

To Mrs. Katherine Neal and Mrs. Martha Ann Zivley I am much indebted for clerical and editing help.

Austin Texas
ROGER J. WILLIAMS

March 1, 1956

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