Designer Genes
A New Era in the Evolution of Man
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- $4.99
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
This compelling new book covers the most important revolution since Darwin—how cutting-edge genetic science will soon allow us to speed up and transform our own evolution, and the moral choices we must make as we improve, alter, and even duplicate ourselves.
The fact is that, until now, human evolution has been exceedingly slow. But there’s about to be a profound change in this process, with a perfect storm of revolutions in the fields of genetic modification, stem cells, DNA sequencing, and embryo manipulation. The result is that it will soon be possible for parents to consciously choose the genes of their children, defining their intelligence, appearance, athletic ability, and health. The ramifications could be enormous, with each generation smarter, more technologically proficient, and better able to design the genes of their offspring. Where will this evolution on steroids take us?
Designer Genes presents a balanced view, describing the underlying science in accessible terms and discussing the pros and cons of implementing this new technology. A leading expert in the field, Steven Potter covers a broad range of topics on this challenging subject, presenting fascinating details of case histories and ongoing discoveries:
• the true story of “Adam,” who as an early embryo was genetically selected to save his sickly sister
• the surprising human genome—and DNA sequence comparisons across species
• dogs, an informative example of human-driven evolution
• the sequencing revolution, with the price of determining a person’s complete DNA sequence becoming much more affordable
• genetic diseases and what is being discovered about them every day
• stem cells and their almost magical powers
Designer Genes also investigates such controversial questions as: When is an embryo a person? Are we smart enough to pick optimal gene combinations? What will the government’s role be?
Science has brought us an astonishing understanding of the genetic basis of life, as well as potent new power to guide the genetic destiny of humanity. What will we do next?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Despite the thinness of this book, Potter, professor of pediatrics at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, is comfortable making a sweeping conclusion: that we are quickly reaching the point where our ability to manipulate genes "could well mean the end of the human race as we know it, but perhaps the beginning of something better." Unfortunately, he doesn't provide nearly enough substance in this short primer to permit such a momentous conclusion. Potter simply offers very basic information about genetics, such as the structure of chromosomes, as well as a cursory overview of in vitro fertilization techniques and gene screening and selection. He writes as if genes alone were responsible for human behavior, with the environment playing no role. His chapter on athletics assumes that practice and perseverance matter not a whit. On the ethical front, he addresses the question of using embryos for research, but he deals superficially with these complex topics, and his discussion of when embryos gain a soul is awkward. Although the science needed to accomplish most of what Potter foresees has yet to arrive, his optimism knows no limits: "Any problems that arise will be overcome in time." 4 b&w illus.