Preface / 1. Inborn Errors of Metabolism / 2. Genetic Hygiene and Its Aftermath / 3. Molecular Diseases, Elusive Treatments / 4. Dreams of Gene Therapy / 5. The Human Genome Project / 6. The CRISPR Revolution / 7. Inevitable Eugenics? / 8. The Elimination of Genetic Diseases / 9. Designer Baby Delusions / 10. The Future of the Human Genome
Sahotra Sarkar is a Professor in the Departments of Philosophy and Integrative Biology at the University of Texas, Austin. He came to Texas after teaching at Boston and McGill Universities and holding fellowships at MIT and the Max Planck Institute. A specialist in the history and philosophy of science, he has particular interests in both philosophy of biology and physics.
More than a superb primer on CRISPR technology and a broad review
of its current biomedical applications and future potential uses,
Cut-and-Paste Genetics offers a panoramic view of the molecular
biology revolution - both its legitimate promises and its
hyperbolic claims. In this balanced account, Sahotra Sarkar, a
distinguished philosopher of science, has written an accessible
guide and trenchant critique that will become a principal
commentary in the policy debates swirling around the role of
genetic engineering in clinical medicine.--Alfred I. Tauber,
professor emeritus of philosophy and Zoltan Kohn professor emeritus
of medicine, Boston University
The concept of the gene was tied to the dream of human improvement
through biology - eugenics - almost from its inception. Sahotra
Sarkar turns a sharp eye on this troubling connection in his
stimulating new book Cut-and-Paste Genetics, weaving together the
history of genetics and its modern practice, the field's real and
false promises, and the stunning leap in manipulative capability
accompanying modification by CRISPR.--Stuart A. Newman, professor
of cell biology and anatomy, New York Medical College
The molecular gene-editing tool known as CRISPR--named for the DNA
sequences it exploits (clustered regularly interspaced short
palindromic repeats)--is poised to inspire a new era of eugenic
thought and activity. Though the promise of eliminating genetic
disorders has been discussed for decades in the context of gene
therapy and the Human Genome Project, CRISPR technology has the
potential to fulfill such promise. Sarkar's book, a thoughtful,
fascinating exploration of this technology as it could enable
pursuit of eugenics principles, will help readers frame and discuss
the legal, social, and ethical challenges of CRISPR technology as
it comes into more widespread use. Exhaustive notes and references
round out a highly readable and useful book. Highly recommended.
Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students,
faculty, and professionals. Students in two-year technical
programs.-- "Choice Reviews"
The sophistication of this book makes it best for an educated
audience--those who have some background in science, the history of
science, or philosophy. But the clarity of the explanations of gene
editing, the history of eugenics and evolutionary science, and the
relevant arguments from social philosophy and health policy make it
accessible for anyone with a basic background in just one of those
areas. It is enjoyable to read a book where the writing is crisp
and clear, but the tone is lightened by stories and opinionated
asides. This would be an appropriate book for a wide range of
classes, from history and philosophy of science to bioethics, as
well as for students preparing for careers in medical research,
healthcare administration, and health policy. In spite of the
conceptual complexity, the narrative is clear and lively, and my
experience as a reader was that it repeatedly corrected common
technical, historical, ethical, and political misunderstandings.--
"Metascience"
More than a superb primer on CRISPR technology and a broad review
of its current biomedical applications and future potential uses,
Cut-and-Paste Genetics offers a panoramic view of the molecular
biology revolution - both its legitimate promises and its
hyperbolic claims. In this balanced account, Sahotra Sarkar, a
distinguished philosopher of science, has written an accessible
guide and trenchant critique that will become a principal
commentary in the policy debates swirling around the role of
genetic engineering in clinical medicine.
The concept of the gene was tied to the dream of human improvement
through biology - eugenics - almost from its inception. Sahotra
Sarkar turns a sharp eye on this troubling connection in his
stimulating new book Cut-and-Paste Genetics, weaving together the
history of genetics and its modern practice, the field's real and
false promises, and the stunning leap in manipulative capability
accompanying modification by CRISPR.
The molecular gene-editing tool known as CRISPR--named for the DNA
sequences it exploits (clustered regularly interspaced short
palindromic repeats)--is poised to inspire a new era of eugenic
thought and activity. Though the promise of eliminating genetic
disorders has been discussed for decades in the context of gene
therapy and the Human Genome Project, CRISPR technology has the
potential to fulfill such promise. Sarkar's book, a thoughtful,
fascinating exploration of this technology as it could enable
pursuit of eugenics principles, will help readers frame and discuss
the legal, social, and ethical challenges of CRISPR technology as
it comes into more widespread use. Exhaustive notes and references
round out a highly readable and useful book. Highly recommended.
Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students,
faculty, and professionals. Students in two-year technical
programs.
The sophistication of this book makes it best for an educated
audience--those who have some background in science, the history of
science, or philosophy. But the clarity of the explanations of gene
editing, the history of eugenics and evolutionary science, and the
relevant arguments from social philosophy and health policy make it
accessible for anyone with a basic background in just one of those
areas. It is enjoyable to read a book where the writing is crisp
and clear, but the tone is lightened by stories and opinionated
asides. This would be an appropriate book for a wide range of
classes, from history and philosophy of science to bioethics, as
well as for students preparing for careers in medical research,
healthcare administration, and health policy. In spite of the
conceptual complexity, the narrative is clear and lively, and my
experience as a reader was that it repeatedly corrected common
technical, historical, ethical, and political misunderstandings.
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