Customer Reviews

Who's Afraid of Human Cloning?

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book saved my life! I am an arts major and had to do a term paper on human cloning. The science was explained very clearly but not in too much detail (as in Gina Kolata's CLONE). I especially liked the sections on myths and mistakes about cloning, including how cloning and twins are bashed in movies and fiction (I'm a twin!). Pence argues that a child originated by cloning is just a delayed twin, which I can buy. All in all, I got ten book out of the library on cloning, but this is the only one I had to buy because I needed to mark it up so much. On Amazon.com, it's a good buy in paperback and well worth the $8-9.

i thought this book was amazing. it's not often that you find an argument that's actually in defense of human cloning--and much less that you see anyone who's open-minded and thoughtful enough not to just blindly dismiss a possibly very helpful technology. a very well written book, it brings up important issues to the reader, and definitely should serve as required reading material for anyone who's to deal with the important decisions that will be made about cloning in the next few decades. very highly recommended!

In view of the...decision made by the House of Representatives this week on banning human cloning, this book is a breath of fresh air. It is the only book I have found that addresses the issue of human cloning with a calmness of spirit and rational argumentation. The author's arguments in favor of human cloning are concise yet powerful, and everyone interested in the bioethics of human cloning will gain a lot from the reading of this book. I only wish every member of the House would have read, studied, and thought about this book before making their awful decision. One of the House members comments were to the effect that no "mad scientist" is going to be allowed to proceed with the cloning of human beings.

Such commentary by the House member is rooted in popular culture according to the author. Movies, literature, and to a large degree educational institutions have painted a picture of human cloning that has no basis in science or reality. And from my own personal confrontations with people against human cloning, his assertions are correct; most people, even highly educuated ones, have a completely distorted view about what is actually possible in today's technology.

The author refutes successfully the arguments against human cloning, but also gives positive arguments for proceeding with it. I don't think the people steadfastly against human cloning will be swayed by this book, but one must remain optimistic. At any rate, the author shows convincingly that human cloning (or nuclear somatic transfer as he likes to call it) is an option that should be pursued, although with care. After reading it, one could say that a positive decision for human cloning by the citizens of our world will not lead to a "slippery slope"....but instead to a "thoughtful ascent".

I'm a huge fan of human cloning, and am convinced of many of Pence's arguments. He goes far enough to add the scientific procedures, helping me for a college cellular biology class. His views are not biased at all, and his ideas/arguments are well backed up by factual information. If you want to learn the facts about cloning read this book. He does not mock religion or government, but this book may not be appropriate for people set in their ways, unwilling to open themselves to the possibilities. It's important to keep religion and science apart; Pence does this wonderfully.

Was I happy to get my hands on this book. Stanford's Green Library had it, and I needed to research on cloning for my extended essay (4000W). This book gives me everything I need to know, and I would like to thank Mr. Pence for such a good read and research 'mine'

More than a technical look at human cloning, Pence's book delves deep into the psychological and social aspects of this groundbreaking genetic frontier. Pence deconstructs the argumnts against cloning for what they really are: social stigmas arising from the fear of the unknown, driven largely by religious idiocy and the hypnotic call of anti-science rhetoric. Pence presents many logical argumeents that can be used against much of the nonsense that pervades anti-scientific thought; indeed, I truly enjoyed his applications of Reductio Ad Absurdum, where he shows how truly absurd the arguments against cloning (and in-vitro fertilization, or IVF) really are. Example: if embryos are people (or babies, or potential persons), why, then, do religious organizations or people not hold baptisms or funerals for embryos, but rather actual, physical babies? Obviously, because embryos are not potential persons, persons or even babies! Religious people and organizations simply want to control everyone.

For the person who has made up their mind, that human cloning was accurately represented in the movie BLADE RUNNER (hint: it wasn't), this book will not change their mind. But this book does make the point that human cloning, like IVF, is a reproductive inevitability and that irrational people have no right to shove their superstitious, backwards, genital-fearing ways down our throats. Pence makes clear the case that human cloning is not some sort of plot to breed armies of clones (that woul require an army of genetic donors and an army of mothers willing to gestate the babies for nine months), but rather a new way of making babies that can help infertile couples and even provide a brighter genetic furture for humanity.

I loved it

I was hoping to use this book as one of several references for a college report. I need representatives of the many views held on this issue. Although the scientific explanations in the beginning are clear and helpful, the opinions expressed in the latter part of the book are not useful, as the author indulges in sarcastic asides, illogical juxtapositioning and even a snide nickname or two rather than the dispassionate reasoning I am seeking. The author's dislikes are far too evident. At least he IS evenhanded in criticising conservatives, religions, branches of government, congressmen, public figures, and the common man alike. Amusing, even clever perhaps, but not scholarly enough despite the format.

Gregory Pence is an excellent writer. I do not agree with what he has to stay, but he states his position pretty well, although he is somewhat inconsistent in his arguments. He also mocks the Catholic Church and is too egotistical in his own views. He does not understand why the majority of the world is anti-cloning - thinking that we all just fear it for illogical reasons. He doesn't consider that maybe we all oppose it because it is immoral and against what most of our religions stand for!