| | Shop | |  |
|
Best Sellers | | Home The Lives to Come: The Genetic Revolution and Human Possibilities | |
|  | |  | | | The Lives to Come: The Genetic Revolution and Human Possibilities | | | | | | | |
List Price:
| $25.95 | |
Our Price:
| $24.53 | |
You Save:
| $1.42 ( 5%)
| | Shipping: | Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | |
*Shipping:
| |
| | | SKU:
ACOUK_book_usedlikenew_0684827050 | | In Stock | | Availability:
Usually ships in 1 business days | | |
|
| | Description | A critically praised survey explores the ethical, legal, political, and social concerns surrounding today's revolutionary genetic research, illustrated with examples, case studies, and scenarios drawn from real life and real science. Reprint. 15,000 first printing." | |
| | Product Details | | Author: | Philip Kitcher | | Paperback: | 400 pages | | Publisher: | Free Press | | Publication Date: | August 04, 1997 | | Language: | English | | ISBN: | 0684827050 | | Product Length: | 8.5 inches | | Product Width: | 5.5 inches | | Product Height: | 0.99 inches | | Product Weight: | 1.15 pounds | | Package Length: | 8.4 inches | | Package Width: | 5.6 inches | | Package Height: | 1.1 inches | | Package Weight: | 0.85 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 9 reviews |
| |
| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 9 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Accessible, argumentative, and up-to-date. Nov 21, 2000
By Vivette Garcia Deister
"bio-philosopher with broad interests"
This thorough analysis of the implications and responsibilities of "the loss of genetic innocence" (that is, the obtainment of knowledge on our DNA that can and will propose novel ways of conducting ourselves in society)is explored from practically every possible perspective. It is historically confronted with nazi eugenics as well as projected towards the twentyfirst century with a brave-new-world-type hypothetical "genetic report card" of every citizen. But most importantly, the author uses real and current situations to expose to the reader many plausible interpretations and uses of that genetic understanding. Unlike other reviews posted here, I do not believe that the key issue in this book is trying to decide which specific traits we should "select for or against" (or even who to clone), but to reflect upon how are we to decide, as a scientifically initiated society with major political and ethical responsibilities, what the demarcations for genetic health or sickness are, as well as when personal or collective actions need to be taken. In sum, how to take the best advantage of that knowledge -because we cannot ignore it-, without surrendering to its mistakes.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Still relevant and useful Jan 31, 2005
By Michael Ghedotti
I use this book in a class covering biology and ethics. This is still the only book that I have found that addresses such a range of genetic ethical issues in an accessible way that doesn't overwhelm (or overly bore) students. I occasionally have to give students updates on where some of the technology is now (almost a dacade after the book was first published). In general students find it to be an enjoyable read as well as enlightening. I also thingk it is well written and is especially accessible to those with an interest in genetics who may not have a large amount of background. I wish an updated revised edition would be printed.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Good overview of the moral issues surrounding genetics. Mar 07, 1999
This book spends an equal amount of time explaining how genetic practices work - as it does discussing the moral implications of them; which i find nice. If you already fully understand your biology though - then the frist half might be a bore for you.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Relevant, Nuanced, and Well Thought-Out Dec 06, 2006
By Hope Henderson
Philip Kitcher's The Lives to Come is a thorough, nuanced look at the moral and social issues surrounding new genetic technologies. Kitcher starts the book with clear explanations of the basic science of genes and genetic technology, making the book accessible to non-scientists, and laying the groundwork for the rest of the book. He then addresses questions about uses and misuses of genetic technologies, including genetic profiling, forensics, and gene therapy. He discusses philosophical dilemmas around "playing god", the idea of human nature, and the fear that unveiling mysteries about human biology will diminish our sense of meaning and abolish the notion of freewill. The real heart of the book is his delve into the topic of eugenics, which he calls "inescapable" with our current technology. He disambiguates the general concept from previous eugenic practices in Europe and the US, and lays out guidelines for a system of "utopian eugenics". These guidelines include personal decision-making, health education and counseling, and equal access to technologies. Though Kitcher's book was published almost a decade ago, the issues it explores are just as relevant--and unresolved--today. It remains one of the best explorations of the vital moral and social issues brought up by our rapidly increasing biotechnological capabilities.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 content good but.... Dec 28, 2000
I like the content of the book as it kept to what it advertised, that is it focused on the social, morale, and emotional decisions that must be made to implement genetic technologies into a democratic society. The points were well covered and unambiguous.However I was definitly not pleased with the propensity towards extreme repetition. The same good ideas cycled through the book over and over again. This bothered me enough that I question the writer's motivation behind writing the book. Hopefully we're not just out there to fulfill our writing contracts? It makes for poor results.
See all 9 customer reviews on Amazon.com
| |
| |
| |  | |  |
|
Recently Viewed | You may also like ... |
