The Science and Ethics of Engineering the Human Germ Line (PDF)

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.