Biotechnology in Our Lives : What Modern Genetics Can Tell You About Assisted Reproduction, Human Behavior, and Personalized Medicine, and Much More

For a quarter of a century, the Council for Responsible Genetics has provided a unique historical lens into the modern history, science, ethics, and politics of genetic technologies. Since 1983 the Council has had leading scientists, activists, science writers, and public health advocates researching and reporting on a broad spectrum of issues, including genetically engineered foods, biological weapons, genetic privacy and discrimination, reproductive technologies, and human cloning. __Biotechnology in Our Lives__ examines how these issues affect us daily whether we realize it or not. Written for the nonscientist, it looks at the many applications of genetics on the world around us by posing questions such as: - What should we know about genetics and childbirth? - Can our genes keep us from qualifying for health insurance? - Can gene therapy cure cancer? - Is behavior genetically determined? - Why would the FBI want our genes? - Are foreign genes in our food? - And much more Ultimately, this definitive book on the subject also encourages us to think about the social, environmental, and moral ramifications of where this technology is taking us. Genetic privacy and discrimination: can your genes keep you from getting insurance? Genetics and medicine: can gene therapy cure cancer and other diseases? Assisted reproduction: what do you need to know about genetics and childbirth? Behavioral genetics: does our DNA determine how we act? Forensic DNA: why would the FBI want your genes? Genetics and popular culture: how does the media portray biotechnology? Suitable for the nonscientist, this title looks at the many applications of genetics on the world around us by asking: What should we know about genetics and childbirth? Can our genes keep us from qualifying for health insurance? Can gene therapy cure cancer? Is behaviour genetically determined? And why would the FBI want our genes? Discusses the social, environmental, and moral consequences of modern biotechnology and the implications that current genetic advances are having on curing diseases, getting health insurance, childbirth, and the food supply.