'It is very hard to produce a timely book about a subject that changes as quickly as technologically assisted reproduction, but John Harris and Soren Holm have managed to do exactly that. The fourteen essays in this small volume provide an extremely useful and highly readable overview of the key moral, legal, and social themes raised by new ways of making babies. . . . The book is unique in that it offers perspectives on all these topics from a variety of disciplines and professions as well as from a broad range of national and cultural perspectives.' Arthur Caplan, British Medical Journal

Der Autor erklart die Widerstande gegen einzelne Anwendungsbereiche der Gentechnik, beleuchtet deren historische Hintergrunde und untersucht Moglichkeiten, die Akzeptanz der Gentechnik zu beeinflussen."

The announcement last spring that a lab in Scotland had successfully cloned a mammal captured the attention of the media and the imagination of the public. This culmination of decades of research has profound scientific and ethical implications. If applied to other species, cloning could further genetic engineering and greatly improve animal husbandry. Now that a sheep has been cloned, are humans next? Governments reacted swiftly with bans on funding for human cloning research. Churches united in calling for a complete ban on the cloning of higher animals. Critics immediately alluded to Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and the myth of Icarus. Has scientific sophistication outpaced our social and moral development? Can we "save" our society from this possible evil by banning any attempts to expand the knowledge? Does cloning really differ in spirit from the selective breeding that humankind has performed for centuries? "Cloning: For and Against" comprises 30 articles by scientists, ethicists, religious leaders and legal experts who explore the benefits and costs of cloning. Topics include: playing God: is cloning against human nature?; is cloning the salvation for endangered species?; no need for marriage: the separation of reproduction from human relationships; can you xerox a soul? and other theological issues; Brave New World: what's possible and what isn't; clones in medicine; and a million Michael Jacksons: eugenic/dysgenic and cultural consequences of human cloning.

In this fascinating book, Susan Aldridge gives an accessible guide to the world of DNA and also explores the applications of genetic engineering in biotechnology. She takes the reader, step by step, through the fascinating study of molecular biology, examining DNA and its function within living organisms as well as aspects of genetic engineering and its applications to humans. Aldridge also looks at the wider world of biotechnology and how genetic engineering can be applied to such problems as producing vegetarian cheese or cleaning up the environment.

The genetic modification of crops continues to be the subject of intense debate, and opinions are often strongly polarised. "Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops" addresses the major concerns of scientists, policy makers, environmental lobby groups and the general public regarding this controversial issue, from an editorially neutral standpoint. While the main focus is on environmental impact, food safety issues, for both humans and animals are also considered. The book concludes with a discussion on the future of agricultural biotechnology in the context of sustainability, natural resource management and future global population and food supply.

Efforts to improve food security in the developing world have been hampered due to myths surrounding GM agriculture. This book explores the theory, evidence and rhetoric of the impact of food production on the environment, and the impact of the environment on food production. The chapters address: food security and technology; expertise and opportunism; the promise of technology; the politicization of risk; industrial agriculture; the meaning of 'natural'; the potential of the local food movement; food labelling; genetic diversity in the agro-industrial era; sustainability and chemical application; plant vitality; and future prospects for food security. Each chapter includes a personal introduction from the authors about the issues at hand, followed by a detailed analysis with further references. The book considers the origins of concerns and then examines the evidence around the issues, and the impacts in terms of policy, regulation and agricultural practice. It also: - Refutes common consumer and environmental organization myths about biotechnology. - Highlights the importance of food security in both the developing and developed world. - Provides a pro-science approach to increasing food security. This book will be of interest to students and researchers in biotechnology, food security and public understanding of science, and also to policy makers, regulators and industry managers.

Das vorliegende Buch entstand aus Vorlesungen fUr Studenten des Bergbaus, des Hiittenwesens und des Wirtschaftsingenieurwesens, die als Grundlage ihrer Berufs tatigkeit viele Gebiete des klassischen Maschinenbaus kennen miissen, und zwar sowohlKraft- und Arbeitsmaschinen und -anlagen als auch iibergreifende Gebiete, u. a. MeBtechnik und Steuerungs- und Regelungstechnik. Die Darstellung muBte also auf die Bediirfnisse von Anwendern abgestellt werden, die unterschiedliche Maschinen und Anlagen technisch richtig und wirtschaftlich giinstig einsetzen miissen. Urn diese Aufgaben meistern zu konnen, bedarf ein solcher Anwender der Zusammenarbeit mit Spezialisten, die diese Maschinen und Anlagen in allen Einzelheiten kennen. Diese Zusammenarbeit kann er aber nur dann fruchtbar und ohne Zeitverlust aufnehmen, wenn er die spezielle Sprache des Einzelgebietes versteht und vor allen Dingen sich in dessen spezielle Probleme gut hineinfinden kann. Hierzu bedarf es neben grundlegenden mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen und technischen Kenntnissen und Fahigkeiten des Einblickes in die Technik dieser Maschinen und Anlagen. Beim Erwerb dieses Einblickes solI das vorliegende Buch helfen. Dieser Einblick in zahlreiche Gebiete muBte in einer iibersehbaren Darstellung geboten werden. HierfUr wurde folgendes Konzept zugrunde gelegt: Die klassische Einteilung in Kraft- und Arbeitsmaschinen wurde beibehalten, urn dem Leser einen leichteren Einstieg auch in die spezielle Literatur zu ermoglichen. Urn bei den zahlreichen zu behandelnden Gebieten eine zusatzliche Systematisierung zu erreichen, wurde nicht nur nach Kraft- und Arbeitsmaschinen, sondern auch nach Maschinen und Anlagen unterschieden. Naheres hierzu findet sich in Abschnitt 1."

* Reviews the role that intellectual property plays in the development of modern animal breeding and genetics* Discusses common forms of intellectual property and economic issues relating to patent protectionIntellectual property (IP) and patents involving animals is an ever-changing field. The purpose of this book is to review the role that intellectual property plays in the development of modern animal breeding and genetics. It includes discussion of the history of animal patenting, common forms of intellectual property, economic issues related to patent protection and the funding of research, ethical issues, and the consequences of intellectual property in the modern animal genetics market place.

A comprehensive introduction to modern applied statistical genetic data analysis, accessible to those without a background in molecular biology or genetics. Human genetic research is now relevant beyond biology, epidemiology, and the medical sciences, with applications in such fields as psychology, psychiatry, statistics, demography, sociology, and economics. With advances in computing power, the availability of data, and new techniques, it is now possible to integrate large-scale molecular genetic information into research across a broad range of topics. This book offers the first comprehensive introduction to modern applied statistical genetic data analysis that covers theory, data preparation, and analysis of molecular genetic data, with hands-on computer exercises. It is accessible to students and researchers in any empirically oriented medical, biological, or social science discipline; a background in molecular biology or genetics is not required. The book first provides foundations for statistical genetic data analysis, including a survey of fundamental concepts, primers on statistics and human evolution, and an introduction to polygenic scores. It then covers the practicalities of working with genetic data, discussing such topics as analytical challenges and data management. Finally, the book presents applications and advanced topics, including polygenic score and gene-environment interaction applications, Mendelian Randomization and instrumental variables, and ethical issues. The software and data used in the book are freely available and can be found on the book's website.

Probablistic models are becoming increasingly important in analyzing the huge amount of data being produced by large-scale DNA-sequencing efforts such as the Human Genome Project. For example, hidden Markov models are used for analyzing biological sequences, linguistic-grammar-based probabilistic models for identifying RNA secondary structure, and probabilistic evolutionary models for inferring phylogenies of sequences from different organisms. This book gives a unified, up-to-date and self-contained account, with a Bayesian slant, of such methods, and more generally to probabilistic methods of sequence analysis. Written by an interdisciplinary team of authors, it is accessible to molecular biologists, computer scientists, and mathematicians with no formal knowledge of the other fields, and at the same time presents the state of the art in this new and important field.

The first unequivocal success for Gene Therapy was reported in April 2000 for X-SCID patients. Pioneering stem cell/gene therapy clinical trials are the focus of this book. Therapy successes such as the X-SCID trial and improved ADA-SCID ones are presented together with pioneering angio/vasculogenic clinical trials mediated either by transient gene therapy or emerging autologous stem cell transplantation. Highlights also include 1) promises of the breakthrough combination of stem cell- and transient gene-therapy, 2) gene therapy trials for neurodegenerative disease on non-human primates where long-term gene therapy might involve brain stem cells, and 3) the first clinical trial with non-invasive monitoring of therapeutic gene expression as a prospective conclusion. This volume will be of value and interest to researchers in this exciting field.

Das Thema des vorliegenden Buches ist ein fUr die Bearbeitung sehr sprodes; treffen doch drei Spezialfacher aus drei verschiedenen Wissensgebieten hier zusammen, um dem einen Ziei zu dienen: der Anwendung der Rontgenstrahlen in der Medizin. Wahrend die Ent wicklung der Gelehrsamkeit wegen der Fiille und Kompliziei'theit der Erscheinungen den Weg der Spezialisierung geht, erfordei't die Ront genologie eine Zusammenfassung sehr heterogener Wissensgebiete unter eine Direktive. Die Darstellung wird daher verschieden ausfallen, je nachdem, ob ein Techniker, ein Physiker oder ein Arzt den Stoff formt. Der Gesichtspunkt, der jeden der drei leitet, ist ein anderer. Es kann sein, daB ein Buch, dessen physikalisch-technische Darstellung vielleicht einen Ingenieur nicht befriedigt, dem Arzt, der sich rontgeno logisch betatigen will, wei'tvoll sein wird. Umgekehrt aber kann es geschehen, daB der Arzt den glanzendsten physikalisch-mathematischen Ableitungen verstandnislos gegeniibersteht, ohne aus ihnen Nutzen ziehen zu konnen. Das Buch verfolgt 'nur praktische Zwecke. Der Arzt muB den Mecha nismus und die Wirkungsweise seiner Apparatur verstehen, soll er sie beherrschen und nicht von ihr beherrscht werden. Er muB auch Photo graph sein, um seine Diagnostik auf eine sichere technische Basis zu stellen; er muG auch Physiker sein, um seine Strahlung exakt messen zu konnen. Doch er braucht die Dinge nicht auf breiter, wissenschaft licher Grundlage zu erfassen. Von einer wissenschaftlichen Durchfiihrung ist daher abgesehen worden."

Since the birth of civilisation, human beings have manipulated other life-forms. We have selectively bred plants and animals for thousands of years to maximise agricultural production and cater to our taste in pets. The observation of the creation of artificial animal and plant variants was a key stimulant for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The ability to directly engineer the genomes of organisms first became possible in the 1970s, when the gene for human insulin was introduced into bacteria to produce this protein for diabetics. At the same time, mice were modified to produce human growth hormone, and grew huge as a result. But these were only our first tottering steps into the possibilities of genetic engineering. In the past few years, the pace of progress has accelerated enormously. We can now cut and paste genes using molecular scissors with astonishing ease, and the new technology of genome editing can be applied to practically any species of plants or animals. 'Mutation chain reaction' can be used to alter the genes of a population of pests, such as flies; as the modified creatures breed, the mutation is spread through the population, so that within a few generations the organism is almost completely altered. At the same time, scientists are also beginning to synthesize new organisms from scratch. These new technologies hold much promise for improving lives. Genome editing has already been used clinically to treat AIDS patients, by genetically modifying their white blood cells to be resistant to HIV. In agriculture, genome editing could be used to engineer species with increased food output, and the ability to thrive in challenging climates. New bacterial forms may be used to generate energy. But these powerful new techniques also raise important ethical dilemmas and potential dangers, pressing issues that are already upon us given the speed of scientific developments. To what extent should parents be able to manipulate the genetics of their offspring - and would designer babies be limited to the rich? Can we effectively weigh up the risks from introducing synthetic lifeforms into complex ecosystems? In this extensively revised paperback edition, John Parrington explains the nature and possibilities of these new scientific developments, which could usher in a brave, new world. We must rapidly come to understand its implications if we are to direct its huge potential to the good of humanity and the planet.

In "Enhancing Evolution," leading bioethicist John Harris dismantles objections to genetic engineering, stem-cell research, designer babies, and cloning and makes an ethical case for biotechnology that is both forthright and rigorous. Human enhancement, Harris argues, is a good thing--good morally, good for individuals, good as social policy, and good for a genetic heritage that needs serious improvement. "Enhancing Evolution" defends biotechnological interventions that could allow us to live longer, healthier, and even happier lives by, for example, providing us with immunity from cancer and HIV/AIDS. Further, Harris champions the possibility of influencing the very course of evolution to give us increased mental and physical powers--from reasoning, concentration, and memory to strength, stamina, and reaction speed. Indeed, he says, it's not only morally defensible to enhance ourselves; in some cases, it's morally obligatory.

In a new preface, Harris offers a glimpse at the new science and technology to come, equipping readers with the knowledge to assess the ethics and policy dimensions of future forms of human enhancement.

This volume examines the latest scientific and technological developments likely to shape our post-human future. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the author argues that we stand at the precipice of an evolutionary change caused by genetic engineering and anatomically embedded digital and informational technologies. The author delves into current scientific initiatives that will lead to the emergence of super smart individuals with unique creative capacities. He draws on technology, psychology and philosophy to consider humans-as-they-are relative to autonomy, creativity, and their place in a future shared with 'post humans.' The author discusses the current state of bioethics and technology law, both which policymakers, beset by a torrent of revolutionary advances in bioengineering, are attempting to steer. Significantly, Carvalko addresses why we must both preserve the narratives that brought us to this moment and continue to express our humanity through, music, art, and literature, to ensure that, as a uniquely creative species, we don't simply vanish in the ether of an evolution brought about by our own technology.

This new volume, Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology: Fundamentals, Advances, and Practices for a Greener Future, looks at the application of a variety of technologies, both fundamental and advanced, that are being used for crop improvement, metabolic engineering, and the development of transgenic plants. The science of agriculture is among the oldest and most intensely studied by mankind. Human intervention has led to manipulation of plant gene structure for the use of plants for the production of bioenergy, food, textiles, among other industrial uses. A sound knowledge of enzymology as well as the various biosynthetic pathways is required to further utilize microbes as sources to provide the desired products for industrial utility. This volume provides an overview of all these aspects along with an updated review of the major plant biotechnology procedures and techniques, their impact on novel agricultural development, and crop plant improvement. Also discussed are the use of "white biotechnology" and "metabolic engineering" as prerequisites for a sustainable development. The importance of patenting of plant products, world food safety, and the role of several imminent organizations is also discussed. The volume provides an holistic view that makes it a valuable source of information for researchers of agriculture and biotechnology as well as agricultural engineers, environmental biologists, environmental engineers, and environmentalists. Short exercises at the end of the chapters help to make the book suitable for course work in agriculture biotechnology, genetics, biology, biotechnology, and plant science.