The Science and Ethics of Engineering the Human Germ Line

With implications that go to the core of what it means to be human, the issues raised by genetic manipulation-especially cloning-have sparked a passionate debate among governmental, religious, and scientific quarters, as well as the media and the general public. Keeping to the actual science rather than speculation is of the utmost importance for an enlightened approach to this weighty discussion. In clear, lively prose, The Science and Ethics of Engineering the Human Germ Line: Mendel's Maze provides an authoritative treatment of the principles of science and bioethics that bear upon such technologies as germ-line insertion and cloning. It offers a realistic assessment of possible applications, limitations, and new developments likely to arise in these areas. Written by a top physician-investigator, this book progresses from the basics of building a living organism from inanimate parts through to recombinant DNA technology, assisted reproductive technologies, and gene transfer and germ-line engineering. Ethical considerations are woven into this material throughout, while a special section covers the intellectual role played by various social biases. As genetic and reproductive technologies spread from the laboratory to the clinic-and society takes further notice-students and practitioners of biology and medicine, as well as the interested general reader, will find The Science and Ethics of Engineering the Human Germ Line: Mendel's Maze to be an essential and accessible guide to these important subjects.

Preface. Acknowledgments. PART I. 1. Setting the Table. 2. Building a Living Organism from Inanimate Parts. 3. Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA Technology. 4. Transmitting the Genetic Information to Future Generations. 5. Developmental Biology. 6. Reproductive Biology and Assisted Reproductive Technologies. 7. Methods and Strategies for Gene Transfer and Engineering of the Germ Line. PART II. 8. Introduction to the Ethics of Reproductive Genetic Technologies. 9. Future Developments and Applications of Genetic Engineering Technology. 10. What If? Ethical and Legal Aspects of Germ Line Genetic Manipulation. A Brief Epilogue: Understanding Our Biases. Index.