The End of Sex and the Future of Human Reproduction
Published on 9. April 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-0-674-98401-1 (ISBN)
Description
"Will the future confront us with human GMOs? Greely provocatively declares yes, and, while clearly explaining the science, spells out the ethical, political, and practical ramifications."-Paul Berg, Nobel Laureate and recipient of the National Medal of Science
Within twenty, maybe forty, years most people in developed countries will stop having sex for the purpose of reproduction. Instead, prospective parents will be told as much as they wish to know about the genetic makeup of dozens of embryos, and they will pick one or two for implantation, gestation, and birth. And it will be safe, lawful, and free. In this work of prophetic scholarship, Henry T. Greely explains the revolutionary biological technologies that make this future a seeming inevitability and sets out the deep ethical and legal challenges humanity faces as a result.
"Readers looking for a more in-depth analysis of human genome modifications and reproductive technologies and their legal and ethical implications should strongly consider picking up Greely's The End of Sex and the Future of Human Reproduction... [It has] the potential to empower readers to make informed decisions about the implementation of advancements in genetics technologies."
-Dov Greenbaum, Science
"[Greely] provides an extraordinarily sophisticated analysis of the practical, political, legal, and ethical implications of the new world of human reproduction. His book is a model of highly informed, rigorous, thought-provoking speculation about an immensely important topic."
-Glenn C. Altschuler, Psychology Today
Within twenty, maybe forty, years most people in developed countries will stop having sex for the purpose of reproduction. Instead, prospective parents will be told as much as they wish to know about the genetic makeup of dozens of embryos, and they will pick one or two for implantation, gestation, and birth. And it will be safe, lawful, and free. In this work of prophetic scholarship, Henry T. Greely explains the revolutionary biological technologies that make this future a seeming inevitability and sets out the deep ethical and legal challenges humanity faces as a result.
"Readers looking for a more in-depth analysis of human genome modifications and reproductive technologies and their legal and ethical implications should strongly consider picking up Greely's The End of Sex and the Future of Human Reproduction... [It has] the potential to empower readers to make informed decisions about the implementation of advancements in genetics technologies."
-Dov Greenbaum, Science
"[Greely] provides an extraordinarily sophisticated analysis of the practical, political, legal, and ethical implications of the new world of human reproduction. His book is a model of highly informed, rigorous, thought-provoking speculation about an immensely important topic."
-Glenn C. Altschuler, Psychology Today
Reviews / Votes
You've probably read about concerns over "designer babies," whose DNA is shaped by gene editing. Greely is focused on a different technology that has gotten much less attention: In a startling bit of biological alchemy, scientists have shown that in mice, they can turn ordinary cells into sperm and eggs. It's too soon to know if it could be done in people. But if it can, it could become a powerful infertility treatment, permitting genetic parenthood for people who can't make their own sperm or eggs. * Washington Post * An extraordinarily sophisticated analysis of the practical, political, legal, and ethical implications of the new world of human reproduction.... A model of highly informed, rigorous, thought-provoking speculation about an immensely important topic. -- Glenn C. Altschuler * Psychology Today * Eye-opening about the prospects created by biomedical technology . . . Greely's book offers a balanced, informed and calm analysis of the legal, ethical and social frameworks within which we must resolve these dilemmas. -- Philip Ball * New Statesman * This book could not be more timely. Greely imagines the future of human reproduction with the insight, wit, and panache readers of his work have come to expect. -- Glenn Cohen, Harvard Law School, author of Patients with Passports Will the future confront us with human GMOs? Greely provocatively declares yes, and, while clearly explaining the science, spells out the ethical, political, and practical ramifications. -- Paul Berg, Nobel Laureate and recipient of the National Medal of Science Greely's background in law and bioethics [brings] a fresh perspective. The book is a timely assessment of the way things are, and the direction they are heading: it is also a rallying call for debate about regulation, and about the sort of society we want to live in. * New Scientist * Readers looking for a more in-depth analysis of human genome modifications and reproductive technologies and their legal and ethical implications should strongly consider picking up Greely's The End of Sex and the Future of Human Reproduction . . . Greely's breezy first-person narrative belies the extraordinary depth and impressive quality of information provided, both scientific and legal...[It has] the potential to empower readers to make informed decisions about the implementation of advancements in genetics technologies. * Science * Employs lucid prose to explain the science behind reproduction, genetics, and stem cells, and explores the scientific, legal, and political pathway toward easy [genetic diagnosis]. * The Scientist * An exceptional book. Anyone interested in the technology of human reproduction and what it holds for humanity's future will thoroughly enjoy the read. -- Judith Daar, Whittier Law School We owe it to ourselves, to the society we live in, to our children and our children's children to think long and hard about the arguments Greely presents before we make choices about the future of human reproduction. One of the most exciting and thought-provoking books I have read in a long time. -- Jennifer Merchant, Universite de Paris IIMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge, Mass
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
589 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-674-98401-1 (9780674984011)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Henry T. Greely is the Deane F. and Kate Edelman Johnson Professor of Law and Professor, by courtesy, of Genetics at Stanford University. He specializes in ethical, legal, and social issues arising from advances in the biosciences, particularly from genetics, neuroscience, and human stem cell research. He chairs the California Advisory Committee on Human Stem Cell Research and the steering committee of the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics, and directs the Stanford Center for Law and the Biosciences and the Stanford Program in Neuroscience and Society. He serves as a member of the NAS Committee on Science, Technology, and Law, the Institute of Medicine's Neuroscience Forum, and the NIH Multi-Center Working Group on the BRAIN Initiative.