This unique book ranges across the physical, biological and social sciences in the development of its primary theme, that there are nine major 'integrative levels' which can be recognised. The term integrative levels was first used by Joseph Needham in 1937 and has two key features. The first is that members of a given integrative level are unified entities and the second is that a member of one level is commonly composed of parts which are members of the next lower level. Thus fundamental particles form Level 1 while Level 9 is that of sovereign states. This theme has been developed by Max Pettersson in a book which explores the many links between the physical, biological and social sciences, reaching wide-ranging and sometimes unexpected conclusions.

" 'Improving Nature?' provides a much needed introduction that many teachers of general biology will find useful...[It] will also interest religious critics of genetic engineering..." The Quarterly Review of Biology

"Biologists interested in levels or organization and in patterns in the evolution of lifeshould carefully consider the ideas presented in this volume." Walter J. Bock, BioScience

"...this brief book serves its purpose if it provokes the reader to develope a more critical synoptic view of the whole shebang. I recommend it." Arthur Falk, The Quarterly Review of Biology