Remaking
Eden: How Genetic Engineering and Cloning
Will
Transform the American Family
by Lee M. Silver
Reviews
Book Description
In this brilliant, provocative, and necessary
book, Lee M. Silver takes a cautiously optimistic look at the scientific
advances that will allow us to engineer life in ways that were unimaginable
just a few short years ago - indeed, in ways that go far beyond cloning.
Could a child have two genetic mothers? Will parents someday soon be able
to choose not only the physical characteristics of their children-to-be,
but their personalities and talents as well? Will genetic enhancement ultimately
lead to the dominance of a "genetic elite?" In clear, engaging, and accessible
prose, Silver demystifies the science behind these and other thrilling
and frightening new possibilities, in a book that is essential reading
for anyone who wants to understand the hopes and dilemmas of the American
family in the twenty-first century.
Synopsis
A provocative, far-reaching look at the
brave new world of reprogenetic technologies - and how such will drastically
reshape the family of tomorrow.
About the Author
Lee M. Silver is a professor in the Department
of Molecular Biology and an adjunct professor in the Department of Ecology
and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University. Professor Silver has
testified on the subject of this book before U.S. congressional subcommittees.
Customer Comments
A reader from Maryland,
USA, July 30, 1999
Scary science by a scary man?
I read the hardcover version when it came
out and have been disturbed by it ever since. I am not a religious zealot
and believe, or rather hope, that I'm not narrow minded. (I believe in
evolution, I have a Ph.D. in engineering, etc.) But while reading the book,
I sometimes gazed at the photo of the author on the dust jacket and saw
a man in the prime of life, talented in every way, successful in every
way, honored academically and professionally.... and he describes in his
book how he wants, expects, to play God. I recommend the book highly because
it made me think and it has stayed with me ever since. Still, I am frankly
frightened by his vision. He and his research can do so much good, let's
hope that he knows the difference between good and evil. Strong and melodramatic
words on my part, by they're heartfelt. In any event, read the book.
A reader from Dapto, Australia,
July 25, 1999
Brave new world??
Silver says that genetic engineering of
humans is here to stay, and we just have to accept it. Do I detect a vested
interest here? He says some parents want it, so let the market place decide.
This is a very shallow argument. You don't deal with a serious ethical
and social question by leaving it to the highest bidder. Silver never considers
the very possible dangers that are inherent in genetic engineering. Since
this book was written, Dolly the cloned sheep has shown signs of premature
aging. What if this was a human being? Silver is just too gung-ho about
cloning, he doesn't face up to the potential dangers. We must tread carefully,
as side effects could be disastrous. He says it is all right to interfere
with nature, look at the elimination of small pox. This is fair enough,
but does not automatically justify genetic engineering. He avoids facing
all the trouble man has caused by changing nature, such as splitting the
atom, cutting down forests, polluting the environment, etc. When man acts
with selfish motives, usually good does not result. Silver says that cloning
can make happy and successful people, but he does not define his philosophy
of the "good life". He says some people will be made disease resistant.
But what about the rest? He admits that only a few will be able to afford
genetic engineering, but over millions of years the (alleged) benefits
will flow down to the rest of the population!! Silver ignores the social
and environmental factors which go to make up a good human life. In the
final analysis ,the quality of life depends on the values held by
human beings, a question not touched upon by Silver. I am not encouraged
about the future when people with such shallow views as Silver are in positions
of influence.
A reader from New York,
NY, April 5, 1999
Paid by the Word...
A biologist at the end of his useful life
flirts with NYT reporter Gina Kolata and jumps into the limelight to praise
cloning. Pow, bing, boom he's... a bioethicist! This is what happens when
narrow, mindless molecular genetics folks try to write scholarly books
rather than running gels. Silver mouths, simple platitudes about politics
and ethics, basically claiming that everything new is good. Even worse
though is his science: "it is safer to clone than to reproduce naturally
because the correct number of chromosomes is guaranteed." Brilliant? Not.
This isn't courage, it is profiteering. There isn't a careful or original
idea in this book. But at least our biologist has found a way to stay at
Princeton!
|
