The
Perfect Baby: A Pragmatic Approach to Genetics
by Glenn McGee
Reviews
Amazon.com
Glenn McGee is a philosopher at the Center
for Bioethics in Philadelphia, but The Perfect Baby is no dry or
abstract tome. "Philosophical systems must be tested where the rubber meets
the road," says McGee, and he discusses ethical issues in human reproduction
with a focus on real people and real choices. McGee's approach is based
on the pragmatism of American philosophers William James and John Dewey,
brought up to date by looking at "the ideas that are in play in our actual
discussions of parenthood and babies, about ideas like identity, perfection,
enhancement, and illness." McGee concludes that "we must resist the tendency
to explain away the 'felt' aspects of the problem": feelings have ethical
reality.
Beverly Kelley, Ventura Star
"So where do ordinary folk, faced with a
life-or-death decision, get some useful information? This book might be
a good starting ground."
M. Wooddell, Choice
"McGee's subtitle concisely describes the
argument he puts forth in this book. His reconceptualization of the genetic
ethos through a pragmatic lens is an evocative reading of the multitude
of issues and choices facing the individual and society. McGee painstakingly
dissects the limiting nature of the positions of both proponents and opponents
on the genetic paradigm with candor and the thought-provoking insights
of Dewey and James. . . . his reflections on the societal landscape and
socialized medicine are on target and timely for the current reciprocal
state of the biomedical complex and society. A book for those perplexed
by the philosophical and ethical conundrums of genetics in the 21st century."
Laurence B. McCullough, Philadelphia
Inquirer
"McGee develops a very powerful line of
reasoning about genetic enhancement. Biomedical science, McGee shows, does
not possess the capacity to "revamp" our nature. We should be far more
modest in our expectations. Moreover, the attempt to produce particular
traits in our children marks a sharp departure from "more ordinary ways
of parenting". . . a slim, highly readable volume. . ."
Customer Comments
A reader from Minneapolis,
Minnesota, April 13, 1999
I saw Dr. McGee Speak at University of
Minnesota
It is amazing to me that the author is so
young, because he is an excellent and interesting speaker. I bought The
Perfect Baby after I saw him speak at our Student Convocation. He was
so inspirational that I decided to major in bioethics.
A reader from Princeton,
New Jersey, April 5, 1999
A cool read
This book was a great way to get to know
the people who work on genetics and new reproductive technologies. I read
the book for my genetics class but I loved it anyway! It tells the history
and the science and ethics, but I liked that it is so well written and
so human.
A reader from New Haven,
Connecticut, February 18, 1998
I used this book for my undergraduate biology
honors course and the students enjoyed it very much. I will use it again.
Unlike other books in the area by philosophers of biology, McGee's book
talks about real life problems in normal language and argues for specific
policy.
A reader from USA, November
20, 1997
A great book all the way around.
This book changed our minds about using
BRCA-1 genetic testing. It is the best $11 we spent - about the same amount
as a single prenatal vitamin! The history part is really interesting. We
shared this book with our friends and it is being discussed at our church
after the minister saw it discussed on C-SPAN. There really isn't much
bad to say.
|
