This book is about ethical decisions in genetic manipulation. The last half of the 20th century saw an explosion in our understanding of genetic and molecular biology; the questions now are in what form that genetic understanding will be put to use, and how and by whom it will be controlled.

It is about science and spirituality, and how the two are connected. It seemed important for the author to describe her reasons for becoming a scientist in the first place, and to explain why science is still important to her. In doing so it became impossible not to write about spiritual experience.

One very good reason for feeling unprepared for the ethical debate about gene technology is that in reality, we are unprepared…. Part of our responsibility now is therefore to gather information, to work at increasing our own and society's understanding, rigorously stripping away our prejudices and mistaken beliefs so that there can be more clarity.

The last half of the twentieth century saw an explosion in our understanding of genetics and molecular biology; the questions now are in what form that genetic understanding will be put to use, and how and by whom it will be controlled. This book is about ethical decisions in genetic manipulations, and about science and spirituality, and how the two are connected. One very good reason for feeling unprepared for the ethical debate about gene technology is that we are unprepared. Part of our responsibility now is therefore to gather information, to work at increasing our own and society’s understanding, rigorously stripping away our prejudices and mistaken beliefs so that there can be more clarity. In an approachable way and with humour, Jackie Leach Scully introduces us to the field of genetic research and application. She engages our attention by explaining with first-hand examples and then by encouraging us to face up to some of the decisions which have to be made.

Bioethics > Ethics > Ethics of Biotechnology > Other professional ethical issues > Philosophy and Psychology > Professional and Business Ethics > Scientific Research