The crucial role played by diseases in economic progress the growth of civilizations and american history in parasites pathogens and progress robert mcguire and philip coelho integrate biological and economic perspectives into an explanation of the historical development of humanity and the economy paying particular attention to the american experience its history and development. The crucial role played by diseases in economic progress the growth of civilizations and american history in parasites pathogens and progress robert mcguire and philip coelho integrate bio logical and economic perspectives into an explanation of the historical development of humanity and the economy paying particular attention to the . This book integrates biological and economic perspectives into an explanation of the historical development of humanity and the economy paying particular attention to the american experience its history and its development in their pathbreaking examination of the impact of population growth and parasitic diseases the authors contend that interpretations of history which minimize or ignore . The crucial role played by diseases in economic progress the growth of civilizations and american historyin parasites pathogens and progress robert mcguir. Robert a mcguire is research professor of economics at the university of akron philip r p coelho is professor of economics at ball state university