Genetic Turning Points: The Ethics of Human Genetic Intervention

by James C. Peterson

Book Overview

This timely volume clearly lays out the central ethical questions raised by today's rapid advances in biotechnology. James Peterson sorts through the maze of clinical decisions occasioned by human genetic intervention, organizing the range of moral considerations that now face us and exploring their practical impact on individuals, families, and communities. / The ethical question are covered in the order of how soon the particular technologies that...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802849202
• ISBN13: 9780802849205
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

About the link between genetics, genetic programs and ethics

Genetic Turning Points provides an important link between genetics, genetic programs and ethics, examining the new choices and questions which arise through company interactions with humans. From clinical implications to the technology involved, this is written by a lay reader for lay readers and assumes no prior scientific grounding.

Clear Thinking on Genetic Ethics

In the past few decades the advances in bio-technology and genetics have been astounding. The scientific and technical breakthroughs have far out-stripped our ability to consider their ethical ramifications. The developments in the Human Genome project alone are raising many legal, ethical and social issues that need to be carefully thought through.A number of books have appeared recently which examine these new developments, and their impact of society. One of the newest and most helpful discussions to date is this volume. Peterson has the advantage of not only having a PhD in ethics, but of having worked as a researcher in molecular and clinical genetics. So he knows about both worlds, and is able to deftly bring the two together in this incisive and comprehensive volume.Writing from a Christian perspective, Peterson is able to discuss in detail the intricacies of genetic engineering without bogging the reader down in an overly technical fashion. He examines a number of the controversial issues: genetic testing, genetic screening, genetic surgery, genetic patents, genetic drugs, and genetic manipulation. While acknowledging the tremendous potential for good that the new genetic frontiers can offer, he is also keenly aware of the potential dangers and pitfalls.Any one of these issues could warrant a whole book. Take the issue of genetic surgery. Many ethical questions are raised here. What exactly is a person? When we alter the physical attributes of a person, do we alter the person? Are we in fact creating people when we use genetic surgery? Could genetic surgery extend to behavioural issues as well? Peterson does a more than adequate job of laying out the issues and options, keeping the reader informed of the latest in scientific and ethical thinking on the debate.Indeed, all the latest topics for debate are carefully examined: the Human Genome Project, the possibility of human cloning, and debates about human germline intervention versus somatic cell intervention. And all of this discussion avoids any kind of reductionism, whereby humans are reduced to their genetic make-up. The more we learn about genetics, the more we see their importance. But in spite of their importance, we also know that we are more than our genes. That is where philosophy and theology come in. Science by itself can only give us part of the picture. We need the bigger picture provided by religion and ethics.Thus the value of this book. Conversant with the latest medical and bio-medical trends and practices, he is also well-versed in the Christian literature - both Catholic and Protestant. He does an admirable job of bringing these two streams together. This is a real advantage in an age where we tend to have either technical experts with no or little moral understanding, or ethical experts with no or little scientific and biological understanding. Such important issues are ill-served when either component is neglected or omitted.While both components are nicely wedded i