Bioethics in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World

by Dedria Bryfonski (Editor)

Overview

In his novel Brave New World, writer Aldous Huxley extends the intersection of community and science to a dystopian conclusion: an entire world built upon the principles of Henry Ford's automobile assembly lines. This volume offers an in-depth examination of bioethics as presented in Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World, as well as contemporary perspectives on this issue. Essay topics include the misuse of science for power gains, the balance of good and evil inherent in certain scientific endeavors, the ethics of "designer babies," the promotion and restriction of stem cell research, and the relationship between genetic science and civil liberties.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737748086
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	03/13/2010
Series:	Social Issues in Literature Series
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	15 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 11

Chronology 15

Chapter 1 Background on Aldous Huxley

1 The Life of Aldous Huxley Johan Heje 23

2 Huxley Matured as a Writer When He Found the Theme of Humanism John Atkins 32

3 Huxley Was Concerned with Political and Scientific Issues of the Day Harold H. Watts

4 Huxley's Vision Changed from Materialism to Mysticism Orville Prescott 58

Chapter 2 Brave New World and Bioethics

1 Brave New World Is Concerned with Government's Controlling Citizens Through Science Sybille Bedford 62

2 Brave New World Is Concerned with the Misuse of Science for Power Joseph Needham 66

3 Huxley Saw Power for Both Good and Evil in Science Jenni Calder 71

4 Brave New World Warns of the Dangers of Consumerism, Genetic Engineering, and Technocracy Robert S. Baker 79

5 Brave New World Reflects the Gender Bias of Its Time June Deery 84

6 In Brave New World Freedom Is Traded for Happiness George Woodcock 95

7 Huxley Presents a Choice Between Imperfect Humanity and Perfect Biotechnology Leon R. Kass 104

8 The Brave New World Already Exists Rebecca West 109

9 Huxley's Predictions on Technology Were Remarkably Accurate The Economist 116

10 Huxley's Predictions of Loss of Liberty Were Not Accurate John Derbyshire 119

Chapter 3 Contemporary Perspectives on Bioethics

1 The Possibility of Designer Babies Raises Ethical Questions Stephen L. Baird 128

2 Stem Cell Research Opens Up New Opportunities The Philadelphia Inquirer 137

3 Stem Cell Research Is Important but Needs Restrictions Charles Krauthammer 140

4 Genetic Research Poses a Threat to Civil Liberties Philip L. Bereano 144

For Further Discussion 151

For Further Reading 153

Bibliography 155

Index 159

Editorial Reviews

Review: Bioethics in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World "This series focuses on how social issues have been presented in classic literature. These books provide a unique perspective to the United States' social issues both past and present."—ARBA, March 2009

From the Publisher