Glowing Bunnies!?
Why We're Making Hybrids, Chimeras, and Clones
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Our brave new world is here.
With modern genetic technologies, science fiction's "what if?" has become the scientist's "why not?" Bioengineering has the potential to remake animals in almost any way we can imagine, and it's being used to solve a range of urgent global problems, including climate change, species extinctions, the destruction of natural habitats, and human health issues.
But just because we can do all these things, does that mean we should?
In the pages of Glowing Bunnies!? you will encounter some of the strange and wonderful genetically modified animals of tomorrow. Learn why scientists are going to such lengths to mess with genes and what the ethical and health-related consequences might be. By understanding both the science and the stakes, you too can judge the potential of this budding science to save—or ruin—the world.
Presented as a compendium of existing and proposed creatures, this book describes the animals being created, the scientific techniques involved, and each animal's purpose. Additionally, it addresses bioethics, unintended consequences, and animal welfare.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A chickenosaurus hatches, a liger stalks prey, and a cyborg rat zips through mazes in Campbell's (Last of the Giants) unique look at animal bioengineering. An opening essay explains how genetic modification works, and explores questions concerning contemporary society's interpretations of the science. In short, colorfully designed chapters accompanied by photos, the narrative delves into myriad accounts detailing genetic experiments, such as bringing back the extinct woolly mammoth to aid in the Siberian grasslands' environmental rehabilitation and cultivation, and engineering lab-grown meats to feed a booming world population. Each section is followed by a brief spread on various fledgling experiments within the bioengineering space, including improving human bodies using genetic modification and "biohacking" single-celled organisms to create fuel. Campbell's intriguing, easily digestible foray into animal gene editing, its effects on present and future scientific climates, and its contemplation on whether these practices are ethically responsible, practical, or inherently harmful proves thought-provoking. This enlightening work encourages readers to ask questions and conduct their own research, while maintaining that science continues evolving and changing faster than one can blink. Back matter includes an author's note, glossary, and more. Ages 11–up.
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