Genethics: The Clash between the New Genetics and Human Values

by David Suzuki, Peter Knudtson

Overview

Genethics is the most lucid and authoritative guide for general readers to modern genetic technology and the myriad ethical issues it raises.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674345669
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	09/01/1990
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	372
Product dimensions:	6.94(w) x 8.94(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

David Suzuki, a well-known geneticist and science broadcaster, is Professor of Biology at the University of British Columbia.

Peter Knudtson is a freelance science writer based in Vancouver.

Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Illustrations

Preface

Introduction

The Legacy of Genes

Dance of the Genes

The Dances of the Chromosomes

Genes in Populations

The New Choreography

The Mystery of the Man with Too Many Ys

Privacy and the Human Genome

The 'Moral Difference" between Somatic and Germ Cells

A Dark Side of the New Genetics

Developing a Sensitivity to the Sufferings of Genes

The Curious Case of the Crown Gall Bacterium

In Praise of Genetic Diversity

Deciphering the Human Genome

Epilogue: Searching for a New Mythology

Glossary

For Further Reading

Index

Editorial Reviews

First-rate.

Quarterly Review of Biology - Bentley Glass

[Suzuki and Knudtson] do an outstanding job of presenting complicated ideas to a nonscientific audience, as well as covering enough detail to satisfy those with a scientific background. [Their] presentation is balanced and controversial arguments are examined from all sides.

Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine

In standard biomedical texts, mechanical processes such as replication and transcription are described with excruciating dryness. Here, metaphors animate the narrative, restoring through art some of the natural beauty of science… To the authors’ credit, they have written an excellent book that, if widely read, will provide much of the technical education and ethical sensitization needed to broaden public debate.

Journal of the American Medical Association - Richard C. Hermann

The discussion of genetic science is commendably clear. Suzuki and Knudtson, good writers as they are, do not merely recite the facts but tell stories that put flesh on the bones.

Medical Humanities Journal - Thomas H. Murray

[This] book deserves wide attention for its timely warning of problems now on the cultural horizon.

Booklist

[This] book deserves wide attention for its timely warning of problems now on the cultural horizon.

Booklist

The discussion of genetic science is commendably clear. Suzuki and Knudtson, good writers as they are, do not merely recite the facts but tell stories that put flesh on the bones.
— Thomas H. Murray

Medical Humanities Journal

First-rate.
— Bentley Glass

Quarterly Review of Biology

In standard biomedical texts, mechanical processes such as replication and transcription are described with excruciating dryness. Here, metaphors animate the narrative, restoring through art some of the natural beauty of science...To the authors' credit, they have written an excellent book that, if widely read, will provide much of the technical education and ethical sensitization needed to broaden public debate.
— Richard C. Hermann

Journal of the American Medical Association

Developments in the field of genetics (including, but not limited to, human genetics) have brought into being (or at least into the realm of plausibility) a "genetic engineering" which is widely perceived to pose a diverse assortment of intricately tangled--and in many respects novel--ethical problems. The present volume, addressed to general readers (the face of the principal author will be familiar to viewers of PBS), provides a lucid account of scientific discoveries/facts which lie at the base of this development, and a balanced account of the ethical points at issue. The book desrves to be widely read, for it has been written from a clear sense that the ethical conundrums of today are in this sphere very soon going to acquire (for good or ill) "resolution" as public policy. Thirteen chapters, epilogue, glossary, suggested reading list; nicely produced, with many good figures; reasonably priced. (NW) Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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