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The Perfect Baby Glenn McGee

The Perfect Baby By Glenn McGee

The Perfect Baby by Glenn McGee


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Summary

This text is a clarion call for a more realistic discussion of biotechnology. McGee challenges the common assumption that we are essentially determined by a genetic blueprint. He denies the necessity for a new Genethics, arguing that the wisdom we need can be found in the experience of parents.

The Perfect Baby Summary

The Perfect Baby: A Pragmatic Approach to Genetics by Glenn McGee

Humankind is currently witnessing an unprecedented revolution in the science of genetics but struggling with the moral dilemmas that these advances have created. With the Human Genome Project, gene therapy, and evidence that genes are directly linked to homosexuality, intelligence, and obesity, we see that genetic discoveries may have the power to change the course of human life. Critics condemn genetic technology as playing God, while optimists promise genetic cures for every disease, an enhanced human nature, or the emancipation of women through technology. Both camps agree that we need to develop a radically new ethics for this era. The Perfect Baby is a clarion call for a more realistic discussion of biotechnology. McGee challenges the common assumption that we are essentially determined by a genetic blueprint. He denies the necessity of a new Genethics, arguing that the wisdom we need can be found in the everyday experience of parents. The Perfect Baby dramatically alters the terms of the moral debate for parents, policymakers, scientists, philosophers, theologians, and physicians.

The Perfect Baby Reviews

A book for those perplexed by the philosophical and ethical conundrums of genetics in the 21st century. * CHOICE *
Well-informed, balanced, and quite well written. -- Richard M. Zaner, author of Troubled Voices: Stories of Ethics and Illness
He combines a rich body of clinical material with informed pragmatic critique. -- Mary Briody Mahowald, University of Chicago
A pioneering, landmark work in pragmatic bioethics. -- John J. Stuhr, Head of the Department of Philosophy, Penn State University
This captivating book offers balanced new insights for individual decisions and for public policy. -- John Lachs, Vanderbilt University
A welcome alternative to work that force fits the issues either to scholarly abstractions or to myths of popular culture. -- Caroline Whitbeck, The WWW Ethics Center for Engineering & Science
A provocative account of this emerging, cutting-edge issue that will greatly profit future commentators and policymakers. -- John Robertson, School of Law, University of Texas
A useful road map as we enter the complex territory of genetic medicine in the 21st century. -- James M. Wilson, director, Institute for Human Gene Therapy, University of Pennsylvania
A remarkably well-informed and sensitive exploration of the opportunities and challenges presented by the new science of genetics. -- Jonathan D. Moreno, State University of New York, Brooklyn
Extremely readable and provocative . . . succeeds at something that few scholars in Bioethics have even attempted: to speak in ordinary language and in a conversational voice about the nest of subtle issues that entangle new advances in human genetics. -- Eric Juengst, Ph.D. Center for Biomedical Ethics, School of Medicine
McGee is one of the most energetic and inquisitive writers in the emerging 'next generation' of bioethicists . . . His work is interesting, important, and has the kind of self-reflective courage we need to face these issues squarely. -- Margaret P. Battin, University of Utah
McGee's application of the pragmatic method to issues in bioethics is both timely and effective. McGee's excellent final chapters will give students of all levels a perspective that cannot be found in other books of the kind. * APA Newsletter on Teaching Philosophy *
McGee's book breathes all the virtues of a pioneering work. it puts the issue of human genetic engineering in a fresh perspective, draws the attention to many valuable points, and raises a number of important questions. -- Cornelis de Waal, Indiana University * Newsletter Of The Society For The Advancement Of American *
McGee's well-written and intriguing new book adds little to the content . . . .he does offer a unique and much needed practical approach to the critical analysis of the relevant issues. -- Timothy Caulfield, Universtiy of Alberta * Phil Review, Vol. Xvii N0.. 4-6 Aug.-Dec. 97 *
McGee's book is an excellent introduction to the issues and he provides especially good treatments of the nature/nurture debate and the relationship between genetics and allocation decisions. Many will find his views provocative. His work is breezy and fun to read. -- L.M.P. * Ethics: An International Journal of Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy, Jan. 1998 *
So where do ordinary folk, faced with a life-or-death decision, get some useful information? This book might be a good starting ground. -- Beverly Kelley, California Lutheran University * Sunday, June 29, 1997 *
The philosophical tradition of American pragmatism has had a fresh life in recent years. In McGee's hands it is richer, more suggestive . . . Not everyone will find The Perfect Baby acceptable, but McGee will give the opponents reason to pause. Weneed that kind of initiative, and McGee's book will provoke some useful, much needed debate. -- Daniel Callahan, cofounder and President Emeritus, The Hastings Center
Finally- a good book about genetics- that makes these fascinating issues understandable to the families who need to know. * N. P. R.'S Voices In The Family *
. . . useful to just about everyone who must grapple with the new genetics. * The Washington Times *
The book is appropriately directed to a diverse audience and makes refreshing use of plain language to address relevant issues present in the choices we must now make in everyday life. -- Bruce C. Trafnell, Genetic Therapy, Inc. Dept. of Virology * Nature Medicine, Vol. 3 No. 6 *
McGee develops a very powerful line of reasoning about genetic enhancement. -- Laurence B. McCullough * The Philadelphia Inquirer *
[McGee sees] the real task as helping ordinary families who are trying to decide about genetic tests so he explains them with humor and understanding. This is an important book in the continuing exploration of bioethics! -- Dave Kirby * The Troy Citizen *
McGee's analysis leads, among other things, to some important proposals on health insurance policy and a probing, helpful discussion of genetic enhancement engineering. This is a lively and readable book, useful in both theological and philosophical discussions. -- James M. Childs, Jr., Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio * Religious Studies Review, Vol.24, No.2, April 1998 *
McGee provides a highly readable and informative account of current and future uses of genetic technology. -- Susanne Gibson, University of St. Martin, Lancaster * Bioethics *
An excellent text with keen insights and salient overview of key issues. -- Fr. David L. Danneker, Department of Philosophy, Elizabethtown College

About Glenn McGee

Glenn McGee is assistant professor of bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania and senior fellow in health economics at the Leonard Institute of the Wharton School.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Landscape of Genetic Technology Chapter 2 The Magic Answer? Hopes for Genetic Engineering Chapter 3 Debunking the Myths Chapter 4 Biology, Culture, and Methodical Social Change: A Pragmatic Approach to Genetics Chapter 5 Genetic Approaches to Family and Public Health Chapter 6 The Not-so-Deadly Sins of Genetic Enhancement

Additional information

NLS9780847683444
9780847683444
0847683443
The Perfect Baby: A Pragmatic Approach to Genetics by Glenn McGee
New
Paperback
Rowman & Littlefield
1997-02-19
184
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
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