Redesigning Humans: Choosing our genes, changing our future | 
|  | | | Title: | Redesigning Humans: Choosing our genes, changing our future | | Author: | Gregory Stock | | Publisher: | Mariner Books | | Type: | Book / Paperback | | Publication Date: | 11 April, 2003 | | ISBN / ISBN-13: | 0618340831 / 9780618340835 | | List Price: | $14.00 | | You Save: | $2.80 | | Amazon Price: | $11.20 | |
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| Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
A groundbreaking work, Redesigning Humans tackles the controversial subject of engineering the human germline -- the process of permanently altering the genetic code of an individual so that the changes are passed on to the offspring. Gregory Stock, an expert on the implications of recent advances in reproductive biology, has glimpsed the inevitable future of biomedical engineering. Within decades, Stock asserts, technological advances will bring meaningful changes to our offspring; this scientific revolution promises to fundamentally alter the human species. With recent findings presented in a new afterword, Stock's provocative assessment cuts through the debate to envision an age of radical biotechnological advancement and unprecedented human choice.
Amazon.com Review
Will the genetic research that gave us the Flavr Savr tomato also give us the power to customize our children? Medical thinker Gregory Stock believes that this is precisely what's happening and that we'd better get used to it fast. Redesigning Humans: Our Inevitable Genetic Future explores gender selection, gene therapy, germinal choice, and many more options available now or in the near future, but lays aside the hysteria common to such discussions.Stock sees the cloning controversy as a distraction from issues of real importance, such as balancing offspring trait selection against eugenics. Writing with the clarity and precision of a philosopher, Stock engages his readers with thought exercises and real-life examples. While not a brainless cheerleader for big science, he believes that we can, and certainly will, use any means necessary to give our children an edge, even if it means profound changes for our species. Redesigning Humans offers the hope that these changes need not be catastrophic if we pay attention now. --Rob Lightner
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Customer Reviews:
• Convincing, To A Point 13 April, 2005
Gregory Stock writes well, and Redesigning Humans is an enjoyable read. Beyond that, nothing he puts foward is beyond the realm of reasonable possibility. Just the same, read with a bit of skepticism. He's a bit too much of a futurist, and while that's obviously the intention and draw of the book, I think it's much more worthwhile contrasted with something like Flesh and Machines: How Robots Will Change Us by Rodney Brooks
- Reviewed by customer ID: ATBWV4NUFY9JA
• Like It Or No, A Solid Overview Of The Field 12 January, 2007
The author, putting aside the social debate on the subject, does an excellent job of presenting what is happening and what will happen in the genetic engineering field in the coming years. The impulse towards eugenics comes hand-in-hand with a culture obsessed with the material. Equally so, the impulse to protect one's child from cancer and heart disease will play a role. Regardless of the source of new genetic practices, the practices themselves will change our society.
If you'd like to understand just what that society might look like, take a look at this excellent work.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A6CJ68FMJ014L
• A Candid Look At Man's Future 21 April, 2005
Throughout the world, there are ongoing debates over whether the human genome should be tampered with. Legislation has already been passed prohibiting numerous variants of genetic engineering as it applies to humans. But in this book, Gregory Stock explains that we will eventually have the technology to change ourselves intrinsically, and that we will also use it. He strongly advises us to look toward the future and make decisions regarding how this newfound knowledge should be used, instead of simply whether it should be used.
Genetic engineering has the potential to cure nearly every disease on earth. For hereditary diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia, this is the only way they will ever be cured. There is much ongoing research into finding a cure for genetic diseases, and eventually those efforts will meet with success. Once this happens, parents could be screened for defective genes, and if they do have them, their children could be genetically engineered to not have them. It would be cruel to deny these parents the only option they have to bear a healthy child, and in this way, the engineering of the human genome will begin.
Once diseases begin to be cured through this method, a line will have to be drawn determining what is a disease and what must be lived with. Is high cholesterol worth curing? What about obesity, ADD, or nearsightedness? All of these have a strong genetic component, and could be significantly reduced through genetic engineering. Inevitably, different countries will have different laws regarding what is considered a disease.
Eventually, genetic engineering will extend into the realm of what isn't a disease, but which could be improved on. Attributes such as intelligence, life span, physical capabilities, and talents could all be under the control of prospective parents.
This book is a startling look at the near future of the human species, and whether you thing genetically engineered humans are a good idea or not, this book is worth reading. Dr. Stock does a superb job at approaching this subject from a neutral perspective, stating not what he hopes will happen, but which he believes will happen. He gives many other examples of what can be accomplished with genetic engineering as well as what has already been accomplished in animals. He also corrects many of the myths surrounding this technology, many which have come from popular science fiction. If you have any questions or doubts concerning genetic engineering, this is an excellent book to read.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3SGAT12GT8HQ5
• Good Topic, Poor Book 08 March, 2007
This book could have been written in 1/3 the pages. It continously poses the same argument for the same reasons over and over. Yes, that is good for emphasis, but unfortunately it does so in a few places ineffectively. There are numerous logical errors throughout the book (3 in the first 15 pages) and a couple of poor editing points making this book painful to read at points. I give this book its second star only for the great topic it attempts to talk about.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A5IWFN3KP6C24
• Finally, Objective Coverage Of This Subject Without Preaching 01 April, 2006
ive read several books on this topic, and this is the best of them. the author faces the reality that humans will take advantage of emerging genetic technologies as they become available, safe, and affordable. it really is an "inevitable genetic future", but most authors are lost on that fact as they yammer endlessly about this and that precaution. people are comfortable with the status quo and try to preserve it. pioneers see that it wont last and look beyond. make no mistake, this author too addresses precautions but doesnt overdo it like other commentators. the authors stance on redesigning humans is not so much unqualified support for it as it is acceptance of its inevitability. the author does support it but in a dignified manner i thought, not in a cheerleading fashion.
this book is a look at what will come to be. its not a question of if, but when. that said, you should know whats in store for mankind. i find it very exciting. this isnt time travel, its something more immediate. america and the west may resist now, but the East shows no such disinclination. once they leapfrog us, as they are poised to do, we will see the folly of our overprotective ways. but i would be interested to discuss this in the forum.
a thought provoking and concise book (about 220 pgs without extras at the end), also recent. highly recommended.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AYJ9UC3A6JZYJ
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