Jennifer L. Hochschild

Hochschild, an academic political scientist, has been closely following genomic research for the last decade. In this book, she presents a comprehensive summary of where the politics of genomics currently is in America and where we are going. She contends that genomics hasn’t split into traditional left-versus-right camps (yet) primarily because most people tend to be for curing difficult diseases. However, other camps are forming, and she accordingly divides public opinion into Enthusiasts, Hopefuls, Skeptics, and Rejectors. In her surveys, most Americans (4/5) fall into the Enthusiast or Hopeful groups.

Obviously, this can and will change at some point. By analyzing the recent past, Hochschild tries to provide us a lens into the future. She divides practical ramifications into three main areas – ancestral, forensic/legal, and biomedical – and analyzes each according to her grid. She also attempts to ascertain our current situation from the position of genomic experts as well as the masses. Finally, she concludes with a probing view into the future, from what’s told to her and from her own perspective.

She wisely tries to identify potential controversies and lynchpins for change. She aims to analyze objective evidence rather than persuade and wants her readers to see the global view instead of just agreeing with her (or someone’s) take. The book seems to succeed at this goal. This academic approach, as one would expect from a Harvard professor, is welcoming in an era of bellicose chattering on cable news television.

Potential audiences abound for this work. Both conservatives and liberals will welcome the level-headed thinking even though each group might naturally find some parts off-putting. Wishing to envisage the future through a crystal ball, politicos, policy wonks, and genomic scientists all might gain pearls of wisdom. Even the interested American citizen might likewise benefit from reading this work. Its tone is definitely academic, but Hochschild tries to keep the popular audience involved without diverging into mere academic chatter.

Overall, this work comprehensively tackles a difficult issue and provides some insight. Only time will tell how right or wrong she is. The author does not claim to be able to divine the future, but by deeply analyzing the past and the present, she provides the reading public with a gem.… (más)