Gmo Sapiens: The Life-Changing Science Of Designer Babies - Softcover

Knoepfler, Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9814678538 ISBN 13: 9789814678537

Publisher: WSPC, 2015

Synopsis

This book won the INDIEFAB 2015 Bronze Award for Science (Adult nonfiction).

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) including plants and the foods made from them, are a hot topic of debate today, but soon related technology could go much further and literally change what it means to be human. Scientists are on the verge of being able to create people who are GMOs.

Should they do it? Could we become a healthier and 'better' species or might eugenics go viral leading to a real, new world of genetic dystopia? GMO Sapiens tackles such questions by taking a fresh look at the cutting-edge biotech discoveries that have made genetically modified people possible.

Bioengineering, genomics, synthetic biology, and stem cells are changing sci-fi into reality before our eyes. This book will capture your imagination with its clear, approachable writing style. It will draw you into the fascinating discussion of the life-changing science of human genetic modification.

About this title

About the Author

Knoepfler received a BA in English Literature from Reed College in 1989 and a PhD in Molecular Pathology from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in 1998 as a Lucille P Markey Fellow. In 2013, Knoepfler was named one of the 50 most influential people in the stem cell field.

Knoepfler's research is focused on enhancing the safety of stem cell treatments, including that of induced pluripotent stem cells, and developing novel therapies to target cancers, particularly brain tumors. His lab studies the Myc oncogene and other factors that regulate stem and cancer cell chromatin including histone variant H3.3.

Knoepfler did his postdoctoral studies at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in the laboratory of Bob Eisenman, studying Myc regulation of chromatin in stem cells and cancers of the nervous system. During his postdoctoral studies, Knoepfler received a fellowship from the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research, and the Howard Temin Award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Knoepfler joined UC Davis in 2006 as an Assistant Professor, shortly after the formation of the California stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). His decision to move was influenced at least in part by the promise of CIRM to vitalize stem cell research in California. He received a 2 million New Faculty Award from CIRM in 2008. More recently, he received the GPI national stem cell advocacy award in 2013.

Knoepfler has also received support from the March of Dimes via the Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award and from the National Brain Tumor Society. Knoepfler was more recently awarded grants from the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support work studying how Myc causes childhood brain cancers and potential ways to develop new treatments.

In a TEDx Vienna talk titled "What if my neighbor's kid was genetically modified?" he addresses his concerns on the use of CRISPR in humans. In December 2015, Knoepfler was interviewed on the PBS Nightly News hour along with Jennifer Doudna, by Gwen Ifil. In 2016, he was a panelist on Episode 12 of the TV show Bill Nye Saves the World to discuss CRISPR and designer babies. In 2017, he was the subject of a feature article in Science Magazine for his advocacy and educational outreach work.

From the Back Cover

GMO Sapiens: the Life-Changing Science of Designer Babies is an exciting new book which takes a look at the cutting edge biotechnology trends that are making human genetic modification and cloning a more practical potential reality in the coming years. The convergence of advances in bioengineering, genetics, genomics, assisted reproduction and stem cells have brought us to the astonishing point where literally making new forms of human beings is possible. Surprisingly, some people and organizations are strong advocates for allowing genetic modification of humans while others feel equally passionately opposed. Meanwhile, the general public is largely unaware that we have reached this remarkable turning point in human history when we can literally change what it means to be human. As much as the public is engaged in the topic of genetically modified organism (GMO) foods, this book will capture their imaginations and fire their passions by educating them on the potential coming of GMO people while, at the same time, educating them.

Edition details

• Publisher: WSPC
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9814678538
• ISBN 13: 9789814678537
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 282