Clones, Genes, and Immortality: Ethics and the Genetic Revolution

This work focuses on the ethical dilemnas created, and likely to be created by the latest developments in biotechnology. It is written with great knowledge and moral sensitivity. And I sense it to be a first- rate work. It raises many interesting questions, a great share of which I had never considered. This is especially true in regard to the lengthy discussion around our ethical obligation to pre-natals. Harris considers the present research being done on embryos, the ethical dilemnas connected with that, the whole question of 'origins and terminuses' the question of 'wrong or wrongful life'. He considers the kinds of commercial exploitation which the new biotechnology might lead to. And he discusses one of the major questions which humanity is on the threshhold of facing : The whole question of human enhancement, of 'wonderwoman and superman' as he calls it. Here one especially interesting point is his belief that 'enhancement of intelligence' is not in the cards as intelligence involves so many different genetic variables. But he does consider those kinds of 'enhancement' which would eliminate before birth certain diseases, or even tendencys to certain diseases. He too considers the question of how such enhancement might affect the community in general. He makes a long list of advantages and disadvantages for the creation of a new medically invulnerable 'new breed.' Among the advantages are: 1)"In creating immunities and protections for its members it reduces the 'at risk' population and will inevitably free resources for 'normal humans.' 2)A range of health costs will be reduced. 3) It will be attractive to employers as illness and absenteeism will be less prevalent. 4) Professions requiring long training will be particularly eager to have such a new breed. 5)The new breed will be less vulnerable to environmental risks. Among the disadavantages. 1)Among people immune to certain environmental pollutants the interest in eliminating such pollutants will decline. 2) Members of a 'new breed' will be perceived by others as being unfairly advantaged. 3)Globally the unfairness would be even greater as the new breed would come from the technologically advantaged nations. Harris without arrogance and with great insight outlines some of the dilemnas we face. This is an important book for all those considering the kinds of changes Mankind may be confronting, or may be inducing for itself. 2)

Discussions and debates on the ethics of genetic engineering these days are frequently accompanied by ridicule and vituperation. An objective observer interested in the issues may be revolted by this situation, and with complete justification. Genetic engineering is a powerful technology, and its ramifications for all life on Earth, both human and non-human, entail that everyone, especially those directly involved in its practice, be very aware of the deep moral issues involved in its use. Scare tactics by those against genetic engineering, exaggerated claims by those supporting it, and very bitter verbal and written exchanges have characterized both sides of the debate, and therefore a calm, rational approach is gravely needed. The author takes such an approach in this book, and this makes it one of the few in print that would be of interest to those readers who want to take a look at the issues without any masks. The author is clearly supportive of genetic engineering, but that is not to say that every reader will finish the book with the same attitude as the author, for the clarity in which he poses his arguments may allow a reader to formulate alternative points of view. There are many interesting discussions in the book, and it will no doubt, if read with an open, scientific mind, serve as a refreshing alternative to current ones on the subject. Another virtue of the book is that a reader need not be an expert in genetics in order to follow the presentation, for the author defines the necessary terminology. For example, very early in the book he is careful to differentiate between genetic manipulations of the 'somatic line' and those of the 'germ line', the former limited to cells of individuals and not inherited by their progeny, the latter effecting the genomes of individuals and their offspring. Germ line manipulation has been the main topic of confrontation, although somatic line manipulation has also taken a hit recently, due to some problems that have arisen with gene therapies. Many possible scenarios and consequences of genetic engineering are overviewed in the book. For example, the author discusses the possibility, which has been done with various animals, of inserting additional genes into human beings, creating then a 'transgenic' human, this being done primarily to enhance various capabilities. The author though is quick to point out that such procedures have not yet been perfected for use in humans and may therefore be dangerously disruptive. Another fascinating possibility discussed in the book is 'parthenogenesis', this being the process in which unfertilzed human eggs can be stimulated to grow without fertilization, giving a near clone of the mother. He also notes though that there is some evidence that parthenogenetically stimulated embryos are not easily implanted. These two examples are an illustration of the fact that all through the book the author exhibits a keen intellectual honesty about the issues at hand, care