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Babies by Design

The Ethics of Genetic Choice

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Babies by Design

By: Ronald M Green
Narrated by: David Wood
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About this listen

Already technology enables parents to select some genetic traits for their children, and soon it will be possible to begin to shape ourselves as a species. Countering loud cries of alarm, bioethics expert Ronald Green explains why our fears about genetic engineering are overblown and how we can move forward responsibly to create a better future.

©2007 Yale University Press (P)2007 Yale University Press Biological Sciences Biotechnology Evolution & Genetics Genetics Medicine & Health Care Industry Physical Illness & Disease Science Social Sciences

Critic reviews

"In this clear-eyed and generally optimistic book, both promise and risk are ably weighed and balanced. The science is clearly explained, and there are signposts to help guide us through the moral maze." ( The Economist)
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If you are even remotely interested in a very NON-TECHNICAL overview of both the myriad benefits & potential pitfalls of genetic engineering, cloning & eugenics then I would highly recommend this book for you. By the authors own assertion it is his intention to "disturb your preconceptions" regarding the above topics. He does an outstanding job! Not since I read the book "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" (also HIGHLY recommended) have I encountered an author that was so thoroughly & fairly balanced on so many contradictory & conflicting issues. This publication would likely assist an individual whose position rested on any point of the moral spectrum both to firm up their own view as well as to gain an invaluable perspective of the other side of the issue. Because let's face it - barring the end of civilization as we now know it - this technology WILL advance whether we desire it to or not. Like all advances the genie can never be put back in the bottle; our ONLY recourse is to determine HOW we want to utilize &/or regulate it. The future is already here; how it unfolds will greatly depend on our own actions or apathies.

A very balanced, NON-TECHNICAL overview.

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