Biotechnology

Description

An essential introduction to a controversial yet crucial field of research, Biotechnology surveys recent advances in the field and offers a wide range of opinions for and against expanding this new branch of science. Incisively examining such key topics as therapeutic cloning, genetic enhancement, stem cell therapy, and the use of psychotropic drugs such as Prozac and Ritalin, contributors to this volume agree that biotechnology will inevitably change human life. However, they debate the right way to balance the potential to cure disease and relieve human suffering with the need to respect life and preserve human dignity. Several explore the way major religions—both Eastern and Western—treat the subject. Others analyze the role of government in biotechnology and specific applications of the technology that should be practiced. Serving as an introduction to this ethically complicated and significant scientific movement, the book ultimately raises the broader, fundamental question of the meaning of human flourishing.
Acknowledgments

Introduction: Biotechnology, Human Being, and Citizen
Sean D. Sutton

1. Biotechnology and Our Human Future: Some General Reflections
Leon R. Kass

2. Who’s Afraid of Posthumanity? A Look at the Growing Left/Right Alliance in Opposition to Biotechnological Progress
Ronald Bailey

3. Bioethics and Human Betterment: Have We Lost Our Ability to Dream?
Ronald M. Green

4. Biotechnology in a World of Spiritual Beliefs
Lee M. Silver

5. Jewish Philosophy, Human Dignity, and the New Genetics
Hava Tirosh-Samuelson

6. The Bible and Biotechnology
Larry Arnhart

7. A Transcendent Vision: Theology and Human Transformation
Richard Sherlock

Suggested Further Readings

About the Contributors

Index

Sujets

• Ethics in religion
• Mathematics
• Biotechnology
• Central
• National
• Science

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 02 juillet 2009
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9781438426600
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

             

    

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Biotechnology

SUNY series in Philosophy and Biology

David Edward Shaner, editor

B I O T E C H N O L O G Y

Our Future as Human Beings and Citizens



Edited by S E A N D . S U T T O N

SUNY P R E S S

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2009 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

For information, contact State University of New York Press, Albany, NY www.sunypress.edu

Production by Robert Puchalik Marketing by Fran Keneston

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Biotechnology : our future as human beings and citizens / edited by Sean D. Sutton. p. cm. — (SUNY series in philosophy and biology) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-4384-2685-3 (hardcover : alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-4384-2686-0 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Biotechnology—Social aspects. 2. Bioethics. 3. Biotechnology—Religious aspects. I. Sutton, Sean D., 1965– TP248.23.B5626 2009 303.48'3—dc22 2008043249

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For Sybil, Jonathan, Madeleine Sophie, Michael and Charles

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Acknowledgments

Contents

Introduction: Biotechnology, Human Being, and Citizen Sean D. Sutton

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Biotechnology and Our Human Future: Some General Reflections Leon R. Kass

Who’s Afraid of Posthumanity? A Look at the Growing Left/Right Alliance in Opposition to Biotechnological Progress Ronald Bailey

Bioethics and Human Betterment: Have We Lost Our Ability to Dream? Ronald M. Green

Biotechnology in a World of Spiritual Beliefs Lee M. Silver

Jewish Philosophy, Human Dignity, and the New Genetics Hava Tirosh-Samuelson

The Bible and Biotechnology Larry Arnhart

A Transcendent Vision: Theology and Human Transformation Richard Sherlock

Suggested Further Readings

About the Contributors Index

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