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The Case Against Perfection: Ethics in the Age of Genetic Engineering

by Michael J. Sandel

The Case Against Perfection: Ethics in the Age of Genetic Engineering Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:


Breakthroughs in genetics present us with a promise and a predicament. The promise is that we will soon be able to treat and prevent a host of debilitating diseases. The predicament is that our newfound genetic knowledge may enable us to manipulate our nature: to enhance our genetic traits and those of our children. Although most people find at least some forms of genetic engineering disquieting, it is not easy to articulate why. What is wrong with re-engineering our nature?

The Case against Perfection explores these and other moral quandaries connected with the quest to perfect ourselves and our children. Michael Sandel argues that the pursuit of perfection is flawed for reasons that go beyond safety and fairness. The drive to enhance human nature through genetic technologies is objectionable because it represents a bid for mastery and dominion that fails to appreciate the gifted character of human powers and achievements. Carrying us beyond familiar terms of political discourse, this book contends that the genetic revolution will change the way philosophers discuss ethics and will force spiritual questions back onto the political agenda.

In order to grapple with the ethics of enhancement,we need to confront questions largely lost from view in the modern world. Since these questions verge on theology, modern philosophers and political theorists tend to shrink from them. But our new powers of biotechnology make these questions unavoidable. Addressing them is the task of this book, by one of America's preeminent moral and political thinkers.

Review:

"An illuminating ethical analysis of stem-cell research concludes this stellar work of public philosophy." Booklist

Review:

"Sandel explores a paramount question of our era: how to extend the power and promise of biomedical science to overcome debility without compromising our humanity. His arguments are acute and penetrating, melding sound logic with compassion. We emerge from this book feeling edified and inspired." Jerome Groopman, Harvard Medical School, author of How Doctors Think

Synopsis:

the task of this book, by one of America's preeminent moral and political thinkers.

About the Author

Michael J. Sandel is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government, Harvard University, and the author of Liberalism and the Limits of Justice.

Table of Contents

1. The Ethics of Enhancement

2. Bionic Athletes

3. Designer Children, Designing Parents

4. The Old Eugenics and the New

5. Mastery and Gift

Epilogue. Embryo Ethics: The Stem Cell Debate

Notes

Index

Product Details

ISBN:
9780674019270
Subtitle:
Ethics in the Age of Genetic Engineering
Author:
Sandel, Michael J.
Publisher:
Belknap Press
Subject:
Political
Subject:
Ethics & Moral Philosophy
Subject:
Ethics
Subject:
Moral and ethical aspects
Subject:
Genetic engineering
Subject:
Political Ideologies - Democracy
Copyright:
Publication Date:
May 2007
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
162
Dimensions:
7.32x4.82x.76 in. .51 lbs.

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