The Biotech Century [Paperback]

 

 

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Rifkin does not attack the idea of creation as an anti-thesis to an divine creator. Instead proposes the genesis of life was a composition of diversity produced by genes. Rifkin says man first major break through was fire. Fire allowed elements to be separated and recombine. Fire empower man to move into the industrial century. The next century would be the biotech century. It all started with a major advancement in science put a Japanese company who gained the the spotlight after they discovered who to classify a gene, remove specific gene material, and reinsert the geneic material various DNA species. The effective extracting and recombination open the door of new life. Thus, man would be able to recombine the genes to create new forms of life blocked orignial by barriers of the species. The idea of the second genesis is to take the best genes properties and introduce them into high demand life forms. Rifkin points out that the biotech century emerged proportional to increasing computer computations. The commerical of living material was thoughtfully presented. Rifkin explains legally, we do not have ownership over cell matter taken from our body. Unique celluar resistence to specific diseases can be exploited, catalog, recombined, and marketed. The gene database will produce exponential increase in new drugs, products, foods, and material. Commerical companies use the gene information which does not necessarily benefit the original sources of the genetic material. So, the creator created all diversity of life. Life was suppose to act within a sphere of influence. It seems to enhance of modify those bounds of influence would be unwise. Just rationally, I fear the unknown and lack of control. Those spheres of influence limit the range of destructive capability nature can impose. Nature can not produce an elephant which can walk up a wall.
Suppose, a gene is introduced into a potatoe plant to kill aphids. The genetic property responses effectively and the number of aphids significantly drops. However, a drought reduces the water supply and the genetic deterence stops because the gene does remain active in drought conditions. The point, genetic engineer works well in a laboratory where all the variables are controlled and measured. It is conceivable Rifkin warnings are valid consider, we don't know all the properties of the gene and how they will act, in all conditions. The example, did not demonstrate harm, because the farmers could apply pesticide to kill the aphids and recovery some their crop.

I agree that this book is not perfect, nor the author the most appropriate person to write it, but what's a hell! You can find errata in almost every book! At least he cares and has the courage to write this book.

Jeremy Rifkin is very well informed and what really matters here is that this book is an excellent source of information to raise awareness of what is going on in this field, about the irresponsible work that is been conducted by big corporations playing with genes and doing dangerous things that can affect the present and future life in our little world. Rifkin also outlines that everyone has to be responsible for his own actions.

I have read also his other book "Beyond Beef: The Rise and Fall of the Cattle Culture" (5 Stars)

I skimmed through this piece of gibberish produced by this "person" since I have an interest and a fair amount of experince in the topic at hand. The little blurb about Somatogen making transgenic pigs is what really caught my eye. I worked for Somatogen (later Baxter Hemoglobin Theraputics) for ten years. The only way any pigs got onto the company grounds was dressed out and roasted to be eaten with lots of beans and cold beer. This fool who thinks he knows what the heck he's talking about should take himself back to grammer school and learn how to do some research into a subject he intends to write about before he commits ink to paper. Don't waste your hard earned cash on this bundle tripe.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all Christians
I read this book cover-to-cover in one weekend, and I have rarely encountered a work that challenges the imagination and expands the boundaries of thought as thoroughly as this... Read more

Published on May 29 2001 by Jason Weir

1.0 out of 5 stars Chicken Little Strikes Again
Rifkin is unqualified to write a book of this nature. His writing style is excruciatingly painful to read and he does not understand the key issues or the industry he writes... Read more

Published on Jun 13 2000 by David A. Kekich

4.0 out of 5 stars The Beginning of the End
The unparalleled scientific achievements described by the author are truly awesome; in fact, they dwarf all of mankind's former endeavours. Read more

Published on April 19 2000 by William S. Cordasco

3.0 out of 5 stars Misunderstanding entropy
Contrary to what the previous reviewer thinks, the earth is NOT a closed system in terms of entropy and energy. Read more

Published on Jan 26 2000

1.0 out of 5 stars Tepid "criticism"
Rifkin is not very critical on the diminishing diversity of life on earth and it's imminent sterility thanks to the "benefits" of the cult of efficiency, which Business... Read more

Published on Jan 23 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars Harbinger of an ill-wind
This book is a must read for anyone with serious questions or concerns regarding our society's headlong rush into the golden era of genetic engineering. Read more

Published on Nov 24 1999 by William S. Cordasco

1.0 out of 5 stars Jeremy Rifkin is an attention-seeking nuthatch.
Ever since the 70's, a decade that was quite receptive to this type of character, Jeremy Rifkin has been inventing false crises and getting himself media attention for them. Read more

Published on July 14 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars quite interesting, wonderful insight
This book offers a fresh, new look at the overall ramifications of the comming and cuurent advances of the biotechnological industry. Read more

Published on July 12 1999 by salanio@yahoo.com

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking
Jeremy Rifkin's book lays seeds of comfort in its arguments.

A lot of us are anxious about the deleterious impact of the Genetic Age. Read more

Published on Feb 18 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, readable and timely
Dr. Rifkin and I were simultaneously interviewed on WICR FM in Indianapolis on November 19, 1998. (My book, Mobius, discusses the evolution of life and of humanity, and the host... Read more

Published on Nov 20 1998

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