Initially, I was not sure I would have the time to read a science book, but happily not only did I learn a great deal about the science of genetics [much of it uncovered since the time I earned my degree in biology], but I also discovered that the book was a very quick read. Professor Silver improved the book by going beyond mere scientific advances in genetics and exploring some of the religious, political and ethical issues that are brewing concerning genetics and human life.

Many reviewers have focused on Silver's advocacy positions, which is fine and they certainly are there. But he almost never rants, and his point of view seldom gets in the way of his superb reporting of some jaw-dropping "gee whiz science." Almost no scientific sophistication is required to understand the science he's described, although the science is not dumbed-down, and the book is well worth reading for the science reporting (and explaining) alone.

Mr. Silver's book was a joy to read. Very engaging and full of information. I would highly recommend this to anyone. It's been a couple of months since I've read this book now, but as I recall I blazed through it pretty quickly.

During the construction of the luxurious Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel in Bangkok, several accidents occurred. After consulting a spiritual guide, a decision was made to build a small replica of the construction with a shrine dedicated to the Erawan-god, an elephant with three heads. The replica was intended for the phra-phum-spirits, who tend to get annoyed when you mess with their land. This kind of `doll-houses' are quite common in Thailand and according to professor Silver the `phra-phums' have already moved in to New York City as well. After seeing the film `Ghostbusters' you'd better watch out.
Professor Lee M.Silver is a molecular biologist who has travelled extensively around the world and has outspoken opinions about spirituality, cloning, GMOs and homeopathy, among other things. In `Challenging Nature' he notes the unholy alliance between fundamental Christians and the eco-Left; Greenpeace meets Prince Charles who in a speech dryly insists that it's about time that God, like the rest of us, also gets some rights. Don't interfere with the Creation.
Silver tells the story of the original Siamese twins Chang and Eng and other `freaks of nature'. His descriptions of some genetic aberrations like parasitic twins and teratomas are outright scary. It has a bearing on the demarcation of what constitutes a human being. Is it realistic to consider a microscopic embryo human or - on the other extreme - is a child not a human being until it becomes what Peter Singer describes as `a person'?
Since a resistance prevails against embryo cloning in the USA, as well as in Europe (except Britain), many scientists move east. In China, Korea and Singapore the doors are open to biotechnology development. According to Silver this has to do with the absence of monotheism. The idea that genetic manipulation equals `playing God' has no real meaning there. Which god should that be?
In the section `Mother Nature' he gives a scathing critique of what he sees as modern-day superstition. Anything from alternative medicine to organic food and biodynamic farming marches past. His views on for example Rudolf Steiner are rather uncompromising: while looking deep inside himself he could see that we humans have evolved from a group of primitive beings that once upon a time were living on the surface of Mars, Saturn, Jupiter - as well as on the sun itself. Fascinating stuff indeed.
Even if professor Silver states that `among modern scientists, molecular biologists are the least likely to have faith of any kind', he characterizes himself as `an extremely skeptical agnostic deist' (p.359n). I wasn't aware that such a creature existed.

The current battle between "natural" and genetically modified (GM) crops has in many instances taken on the intensity and silliness of the battle between the advocates of AC and DC power in the early years of the twentieth century. The advocates of natural foods it seems will go to any length to portray the "dangers" of GM crops, but have no evidence to support their campaign of vituperation. The biotechnology/scientific community for the most part has shied away from countering these tactics, hoping maybe that by ignoring them they will go away. In only a small number of cases have a few confident individuals stepped up to the plate to defend the virtues and science behind biotechnology.

The author of this book is one of these individuals, and he has given the reader a fascinating account of what is possible, and what is not, in genetic engineering and twenty-first century biology in general. He thankfully does not hold back in countering the exaggerations and misrepresentations that emanate both from religious circles and "New Age secularists." But the book contains more than just counterarguments, for the author discusses some of the modern developments in biology that may have not caught the attention of the average reader. These developments are awesome if viewed by what was possible in biotechnology only two decades ago. Breathtaking advances have occurred since then, and with even more coming in the years ahead, one could argue easily that this is the best time ever to be alive.

And life is what this book is about, that is, natural life, which the author argues correctly constitutes genetically modified organisms as well as organisms that have come about without the intervention of humans. To claim otherwise is usually the province of religion or some other form of superstition, is part of a vague political goal, or is at times as the author puts it "hidden in layers of self-deception." He therefore does not hesitate to criticize religious beliefs and the elusive concept of "faith" and for the most part his commentary is correct and avoids unnecessary confrontation. Even the concept of the human self as being a unique and well-defined entity is questioned by the author, quoting some of the latest research in neuroscience that supports the notion that the self is an organized conglomeration of neuronal synapses. The concept of the "soul" is criticized and set aside as being superfluous and lacking scientific support. Such concepts, along with many of the common superstitions and beliefs that seem to transcend culture can be rejected with confident Laplacian pronouncements.

But the best part of this book is the author's speculations on the future of genetics. He points out that the developmental engineering of life forms, such as the creation of dinosaur genomes, as very plausible. This would be done by utilizing `evolutionary deconstruction' to `reconstruct' genomes that are long extinct. He points out that such developments are happening even now, with the embryos of chickens engineered to have scales instead of feathers, and have teeth instead of beaks. It is extremely likely that future genetic engineers will manipulate the development as well as the metabolism of life forms. The author expresses the heartfelt wish that he will be around to witness these developments. This reviewer is in complete agreement and the fingers are crossed.