Overview
Biotechnology marks a new scientific revolution. It holds the promise of generating resources to meet our needs in the fight against hunger, disease and environmental disasters.
Hong Kong University Press
Synopsis
Biotechnology marks a new scientific revolution which will change our lives dramatically. It holds the promise of generating almost limitless resources to meet the needs of a rapidly growing world population in its fight against hunger, diseases and environmental disasters. Expectations range from designer foods to biodegradable pesticides, virus-resistant plants, and bacteria which consume oil spills; from gene therapy to eugenics. Yet, critics paint a different, nightmarish picture. Biotechnology, they argue, will change the course of nature once and for all. It will jeopardize evolution and add incalculable, self-made risks to the fragile conditions of life on this planet. Nature will cease to be 'natural' but will be re-created in our own image. By providing solid information about a new and fascinating scientific development and by exploring the complexity of its ethical dilemmas, the book offers orientation in a difficult terrain and stimulates the search for answers adequate to the severity of the challenge. What becomes obvious from the articles collected here is that the issues arising from biotechnology are significant and thus are in need of wide-ranging public debate. It is hoped that this volume will contribute to that debate.
Booknews
A collection of articles based on the November 1993 symposium, "Biotechnology and Ethics: Scientific Liberty and Moral Responsibility," exploring the ethical dilemmas involved in biotechnology. Topics include environmental and ethical considerations of genetically engineered plants and foods, clinical and ethical challenges of genetic markers for severe human hereditary disorders, and embryo transfer. For professionals in science, medicine, business, law, ethics, and activism. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)