Being Me

'O brave new world, That has such people in't!'
Shakespeare, The Tempest
New scientific developments are changing the world, but whetherthe world of our children and grandchildren will be the hell ofHuxley's Brave New World or the sheltered paradisedescribed by Shakespeare depends on how we choose to use thesedevelopments.
That choice will frequently be driven by our appreciation ofwhat human beings really are. In this thought-provoking book PeteMoore presents an antidote to the scientific reductionism that sofrequently seeks to narrow any definition of our species by singlefeatures, such as our genes or the ability of our brains. Thisexploration of the nature of humanity reveals the rainbow spectrumthat makes us who we are. Through discussions with individualswhose lives help us to focus on individual aspects of our make up,Moore explores the difficult issues that are facing us.
This book provides a timely reminder that technology cannot beseparated from its impact on real people and how their lives arechanged for the better or worse. Medical developments offertremendous opportunities for good, but if we lose sight of what itis to be human they also have the ability to be used for verydangerous, even evil purposes. We have a chance to influence thisfuture. We should not ignore the challenge.
DR PETE MOORE is a medical journalist and an official rapporteurat Windsor Castle and the House of Lords. He is the author of Bloodand Justice (0470 848421, Hbk / 0470 84844 8 Pbk).