Handler also provided an understanding of the oxidation of sarcosine to glycine and formaldehyde, which led to the importance of single-carbon atoms in metabolism.
He spurred in part by a growing interest in the biosciences, his position on various governmental committees, and the book Biology & The Future of Man, which read like a blueprint for a generation of work in the life sciences.
Rather abruptly, Handler died in Boston on December 29, 1981, from pneumonia, just short of six months after leaving office at the Academy.
He chose to have his ashes placed alongside his colleagues' at Duke University Medical Center, where he began his academic research career.
[4] Governmental Positions Non-Government Many of the quotes were found in the Memorial Program honoring his life and held at the National Academy of Sciences.
December 6, 1976 "Creative scientific research is one of the very purposes of our society akin to imaginative scholarship in the humanities and innovation in the arts.
Every technology since fire and the wheel confronted humanity simultaneously with the prospect of great benefit – and of considerable hazard, with potential for good and for evil."