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The Lives to Come
 
 
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The Lives to Come [Paperback]

Philip Kitcher (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
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We stand at the edge, it seems, of a biotechnology revolution that may change society as fundamentally as has the information age. Philip Kitcher's The Lives to Come explains what biotechnology holds in store and grapples with the seemingly intractable moral and ethical questions that it raises: When should genetic screening be applied? When is abortion based on genetic information permissible? How should individuals' genetic makeup factor into their insurance eligibility? Kitcher is able to achieve a rare synthesis between lucid explanations of genetics as a science and expertly posed and argued questions that attempt to define its appropriate social context. He explains the numerous benefits that genetics proffers, but when it comes to addressing their impact he goes far beyond mere platitudes, thoughtfully weighing the alternatives and making concrete policy suggestions that address the fears--eugenics, economic stratification, privacy--that inevitably surround any discussion of the widespread applications of genetics.

From Publishers Weekly

Kitcher has written a searching, valuable guide to the immediate practical consequences and long-range implications of the new molecular genetics. The next decade, he predicts, will make possible hundreds, even thousands, of genetic tests to determine whether people carry genes that predispose them to various diseases or disabilities. He argues that the potential benefits of genetic testing must be carefully weighed against whether effective treatment exists. Stressing that gene replacement therapy is only one among many possible interventions, he foresees a patchwork of therapies, including dietary and environmental changes, to bring relief from hereditary disorders. A philosophy professor at UC San Diego, Kitcher believes that basic medical insurance should be available to everyone, yet he controversially suggests that insurers could demand higher premiums of those born with unlucky genes, provided that the difference in cost did not debar people from receiving coverage. He also wrestles thoughtfully with such issues as genetic screening of job applicants, whether the merciful abortion of a malformed fetus is morally justified and the use of DNA evidence in the courtroom.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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4 Reviews
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4.2 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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3.0 out of 5 stars content good but...., Dec 28 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: The Lives to Come (Paperback)
I like the content of the book as it kept to what it advertised, that is it focused on the social, morale, and emotional decisions that must be made to implement genetic technologies into a democratic society. The points were well covered and unambiguous.

However I was definitly not pleased with the propensity towards extreme repetition. The same good ideas cycled through the book over and over again. This bothered me enough that I question the writer's motivation behind writing the book. Hopefully we're not just out there to fulfill our writing contracts? It makes for poor results.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible, argumentative, and up-to-date., Nov 21 2000
This review is from: The Lives to Come (Paperback)
This thorough analysis of the implications and responsibilities of "the loss of genetic innocence" (that is, the obtainment of knowledge on our DNA that can and will propose novel ways of conducting ourselves in society)is explored from practically every possible perspective. It is historically confronted with nazi eugenics as well as projected towards the twentyfirst century with a brave-new-world-type hypothetical "genetic report card" of every citizen. But most importantly, the author uses real and current situations to expose to the reader many plausible interpretations and uses of that genetic understanding. Unlike other reviews posted here, I do not believe that the key issue in this book is trying to decide which specific traits we should "select for or against" (or even who to clone), but to reflect upon how are we to decide, as a scientifically initiated society with major political and ethical responsibilities, what the demarcations for genetic health or sickness are, as well as when personal or collective actions need to be taken. In sum, how to take the best advantage of that knowledge -because we cannot ignore it-, without surrendering to its mistakes.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of the moral issues surrounding genetics., Mar 7 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The Lives to Come (Paperback)
This book spends an equal amount of time explaining how genetic practices work - as it does discussing the moral implications of them; which i find nice. If you already fully understand your biology though - then the frist half might be a bore for you.
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