Redesigning Humans: Choosing Our Children's Genes - Softcover

Stock, Gregory

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1861975511 ISBN 13: 9781861975515

Publisher: Profile Books, 2003

Synopsis

Forget worries about cloning people. In the future, technological advances will bring far more meaningful and controversial changes to our offspring. As scientists rapidly improve their ability to identify, screen and manipulate genes, people will want to protect their future children from diseases, help them live longer and even influence their looks and their abilities. Stock, an expert on the implications of recent advances in reproductive biology, clearly shows that neither governments, nor religious groups will be able to stop the coming trend of choosing an embryo's genes, and that there is little point in even trying.

About this title

Synopsis:

A scientist at the cutting edge of germ line engineering (changing the genes of our descendants) shows how this technology is evolving so rapidly that it is becoming unstoppable - but it is also something that should be embraced rather than feared. All the research being done on changing our genes is to prevent the many genetic diseases that afflict people from Alzheimer's to common cancers. The gene technology for preventing these diseases also enables scientists to make people taller, to determine their eye colour, and soon, their intelligence. There is already a huge demand for these changes in the Far East. So genetic engineering is inevitable and coming soon. And there is nowhere to draw the boundary - should we ban it when it saves lives? when it prevents suffering? when children will be more cherished? There is no line to draw in the sand to say 'stop - no more of this amazing new medical science'. So, argues Gregory Stock, we should instead make sure that the science helps people achieve the best lives for their children - and to make the world a better place.

About the Author:

Gregory Stock is director of the medicine and society department at UCLA. He has a PhD in biophysics and and MBA. He was an advisor to President Clinton and is the author of the bestselling Book of Questions which is translated into 17 languages and has had 55 printings. He has written numerous newspaper articles and is regularly on television throughout the world. For more information please look at his website: http://research.mednet.ucla.edu/pmts/Stock.htm

About this edition

• Publisher: Profile Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1861975511
• ISBN 13: 9781861975515
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288