Playing God?: Human Genetic Engineering and the Rationalization of Public Bioethical Debate (Morality and Society Series) [Paperback]

John H. Evans (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226222624 | ISBN-13: 978-0226222622 | Publication Date: February 1, 2002 | Edition: 1

Technology evolves at a dazzling speed, and nowhere more so than in the field of genetic engineering, where the possibility of directly changing the genes of one's children is quickly becoming a reality. The public is rightly concerned, but interestingly, they have not had much to say about the implications of recent advancements in human genetics.

Playing God? asks why and explores the social forces that have led to the thinning out of public debate over human genetic engineering. John H. Evans contends that the problem lies in the structure of the debate itself. Disputes over human genetic engineering concern the means for achieving assumed ends, rather than being a healthy discussion about the ends themselves. According to Evans, this change in focus occurred as the jurisdiction over the debate shifted from scientists to bioethicists, a change which itself was caused by the rise of the bureaucratic state as the authority in such matters. The implications of this timely study are twofold. Evans not only explores how decisions about the ethics of human genetic engineering are made, but also shows how the structure of the debate has led to the technological choices we now face.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Technology evolves at a dazzling speed, and nowhere more so than in the field of genetic engineering, where the possibility of directly changing the genes of one's children is quickly becoming a reality. The public is rightly concerned, but interestingly, it has not had much to say about the implications of recent advancements in human genetics.

Playing God? asks why and explores the social forces that have led to the thinning out of public debate over human genetic engineering. John H. Evans contends that the problem lies in the structure of the debate itself. Disputes over human genetic engineering concern the means for achieving assumed ends, rather than being a healthy discussion about the ends themselves. According to Evans, this change in focus occurred as the jurisdiction over the debate shifted from scientists to bioethicists, a change which itself was caused by the rise of the bureaucratic state as the authority in such matters. The implications of this timely study are twofold. Evans not only explores how decisions about the ethics of human genetic engineering are made but also shows how the structure of the debate has led to the technological choices we now face.

About the Author

John H. Evans is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of California, San Diego.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226222624
• ISBN-13: 978-0226222622
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,547,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John H. Evans is professor of sociology at the University of California, San Diego. He has been a visiting member of the School of Social Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ, a post-doctoral fellow at the Robert Wood Johnson Scholars in Health Policy Research Program at Yale University and has held a Visiting Professorial Fellowship at the University of Edinburgh. His primary area of expertise is the sociology of religion. He has published books and articles on the history and future of bioethical debate, the social and religious implications of reproductive genetics, and the political behavior of members of religious groups. He has also published many articles on opinion polarization in the U.S. over abortion, homosexuality and related issues; science and religion and the sociology of religion.