Agricultural versus Environmental Science, from the Science and Society series, explores the difficult dilemma created by these opposing interests and how discourse between agricultural scientists and environmental scientists has broadened. It emphasizes the methods by which ordinary citizens can have a greater impact on both the private sector’s and the government’s strategies for the management of science.

Air Pollution shows how scientists and engineers are working to help policy-makers solve the problems of atmospheric pollution. It discusses society's delicate relationship with science and technology and covers the role citizens play in pushing for an atmospheric environment that is as clean as possible.

New Genetics explains how the science of genetics emerged from attempts to improve plants and animals by selective breeding. Describing the successive stages in this revolution as well as the men and women who played crucial roles in its progress, this book conveys the social impact of modern genetic research and that of the emergent science of molecular biology.

In the new title Nuclear Power, the authors point out, for example, the therapeutic and diagnostic promise of medical isotopes, as well as the use of high-energy particles, that can reveal the inner structure of the materials used to make consumer products.

Potent Natural Medicines presents the modern history of folk remedies—both its successes and its failures. Central topics include the adventures of the plant hunters and medical consequences, but attention is also given to practices of the U.S. government that are intended to regulate the sale and use of natural products.