The Science of Human Progress. Oxford University Press, Oxford (1981).
This book is about the future of biological science. It points out that the human brain is the most complex biological object on the human planet, and the last we will understand. There are, however, no good reasons to think that it is beyond the reach of science. When the human mind and human behavior are fully understood, the social implications will be enormous, because at present there are many differences of opinion, as seen, for example, in political debate, in education, in anti-social behaviour, and much else. These differences will gradually melt away, as more and more is revealed about the human brain and behaviour.
Understanding Ageing. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1995).
At the end of the 20th century a remarkable scientific discovery emerged. It was not a single discovery in the usual sense, because it was based on a series of important interconnected insights over quite a long period of time. These insights made it possible for the very first time to understand the biological reasons for ageing in animals and man. The book assembles the evidence, which comes from about 350 publications. It is written for students and research workers who are interested in ageing.
Slaves and Saviours, Blackwall Books, Sydney (2000)
This a novel about the future of biological research, as set out in The Science of Human Progress. Its starting point is the increasing influence of religion, and the revolt against this by rational scientists. They set up "science cities" with their own secular schools, universities and research institutes. Initially, there was much bureaucratic interference from the government, and the scientists are treated as technological "slaves." With time, however, successful research reveals more and more about the human brain and behaviour. This has many beneficial influences on society at large, and the slaves become saviours. The book is an allegory of the "two cultures" in developed countries: the religious right, and secular rational academics and scientists.
Aging: the Paradox of Life. Springer, Dordrecht (2007).
This covers the same ground as Understanding ageing, but is written in non-technical language. It also explores some related issues such as the relationship between human longevity and the origins of religions and warfare.
Origins and Outcomes: an Autobiography. Longeville Media, Sydney (2008)
See the separate web-page.
Genes, Proteins and Cellular Ageing (Benchmark Papers in Genetics). van Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1986).
Facsimile reprints of 30 scientific papers by various authors selected by the Editor, with an Introduction, Comments and Epilogue by the Editor.
With D. Harman, and M. Meydani. Towards Prolongation of the Healthy Lifespan. Annals N.Y. Acad. Sci. 854 (1998).
Proceedings of the 7th Congress of the International Association of Biomedical Gerontology, Adelaide, Australia (1997).
With J. Maynard Smith. Evolution of Adaptation by Natural Selection. The Royal Society, London (1979).
Proceedings of a Discussion Meeting of the Royal Society, London, organised by the Editors, in December 1978.
With M. Monk and J.E. Pugh. DNA Methylation and Gene Regulation. The Royal Society, London (1990).
Proceedings of a Discussion Meeting of the Royal Society, London, organised by the Editors, in February 1989
With J. Grimley Evans, T.B.L. Kirkwood, P. Laslett, and L. Tyler. Ageing: Science, Medicine and Society. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc B, 352, 1761-1920 (1997). Proceedings of a Discussion Meeting of the Royal Society, London, organised by the Editors, in May 1997.