When I was a kid, my favorite comic strip hero was Captain Marvel. The archvillain of the strip was the mad scientist, Dr. Sivana, who used his considerable powers of intellect in evil plots to dominate the world. Mad scientists have often been cast as villains in comics, movies and literature (remember Dr. Jekyll's fiendish other self, and that student of chemistry and anatomy named Frankenstein). It is not hard to understand why. In their roles of truth-seekers and healers, scientists and physicians represent what is best in ourselves. When that same power is turned to evil, it is a suitable...
