Customer Reviews

Genetic Maps and Human Imaginations: The Limits of Science in Understanding Who We Are

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I thought the book was generally well written, although as one reviewer stated, felt as though I was back in undergraduate lecture halls through some. She raises some interesting and thought provoking questions, but it sometimes takes her awhile to make her point. It was an interesting book, and certainly made me evaluate where I stand on some issues.

A former medical researcher and now a historian of medical ethics, I take a position between the two that have been expressed to date. We absolutely must consider the consequences of any new technology, and Rothman explores the possible deeper implications of the human genome-- which has at this point been deciphered. At times, her writing smacks of revised undergraduate lectures with all their attendant hyperbole, but for the most part she presents crucial questions in a clear and readable manner. I would recommend this book to persons who want to think responsibly about genome issues, but with the caveat that they should also read other points of view.

Very negative book that exaggerates dangers of a new technology. To demonstrate her exaggeration, turn to page 14 where she states "Every possible area of basic research has been cut, and cut again, and cut yet again. But genetics gets funded." Between the books that exaggerate the negative and those which ignore the dangers exist more balanced books. One such book is Lois Wingerson's "Unnatural Selection: The Promise and Power of Human Gene Research." Lois correctly points out on page x that "There are exaggeration and misinformation at both ends of that spectrum--and a wealth of important detail in between, steadfastly overlooked by both sides." In my opinion, "Genetic Maps" represents the pessimistic end of that spectrum, and should be avoided.

This book helps us better understand the limits of genetic research and testing, and the dangers of believing that this magic new bullet will solve a host of social and medical "problems". For women especially, this book is must reading.