Synopses & Reviews
Written by four internationally renowned bioethicists, From Chance to Choice is the first systematic treatment of the fundamental ethical issues underlying the application of genetic technologies to human beings. Probing the implications of the remarkable advances in genetics, the authors ask how should these affect our understanding of distributive justice, equality of opportunity, the rights and obligations as parents, the meaning of disability, and the role of the concept of human nature in ethical theory and practice. The book offers a historical context to contemporary debate over the use of these technologies by examining the eugenics movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition, appendices explain the nature of genetic causation, gene-environment interaction, and expose widespread misconceptions of genetic determinism, as well as outlining the nature of the ethical analysis used in the book. The questions raised in this book will be of interest to any reflective reader concerned about science and society and the rapid development of biotechnology, as well as to professionals in such areas as philosophy, bioethics, medical ethics, health management, law, and political science.
Review
"As a consequence of the new possibilities of manipulating the genes of humans and other organisms there have been many discussions of the ethical and social issues raised by these technologies. None comes close to the depth, originality, and sensitivity that characterize From Chance to Choice. It demonstrates, as nothing else does, how professional moral philosophers can help us work through a major social issue of immediate concern. Anyone grappling with the extraordinarily difficult problems raised by genetic and reproductive technologies must take this book as a central text." R. C. Lewontin, Harvard University, author of Biology as Ideology: The Doctrine of DNA"In a book which is notable both for the breadth of the questions posed and the depth of the potential responses, these four distinguished moral and political philosophers provide a much needed and well reasoned ethical compass for future journeys into genetics and genomics." Francis S. Collins, Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes for Health, Washington, D.C."Amazingly, the authors approach this millennial philosophical issue without losing humanity. Their collective style of writing is a joy to read, and their work reads more like poetry than philosophy. Like poetry, too, their words are worth returning to several times, to unearth intentionally embedded subtext with enhanced meaning. Their book will be cited often." New England Journal of Medicine"...the book is an excellent analysis of how to approach the ethical dilemmas raised by biotechnology, particular concerning distributive justice, from the standpoint of liberal theory. This is a big achievement. Buchanan, Brock, Daniels, and Wikler are on to something big." The Boston Book Review"...eloquent and impressive book..." The New Republic"It is a thorough, challenging examination of the impact of genetic revolution..." Science Books and Films" From Chance to Choice: Genetics and Justice will spark deep thought, discussion, and controversy. It is not hust a book for philosophers and academics. Its value reaches beyond the kind of theoretical and intellectual musings that sometimes find their place within the narrow confines of a single discipline. This important work forces the reader beyond the places the reader's own disciplinary biases might lead him or her. It would be a wonderful core text for a law school elective and may (and should) find its way onto the reading lists of all medical schools. The authors have seized the opportunity to ride on the wave of the future and have done it commendably. Once read, this book should remain within easy reach as a resource to be looked to for guidance in days ahead. Its wisdom is sure to be quoted again and again." The Journal of Legal Medicine"...this volume provides a concise yet thorough review of the history of eugenics, a moral analysis of the distinction between interventions to address disease and those that enhance normal qualities, as well as assessments of our duty to future generation, the right to reproductive freedom, the concerns of disability rights advocates and the role of the state in distributing the benefits of new technologies." "...well argued and thorough analysis." --Canadian Medical Association Journal"This is a fun, inspiring, yet rigorous book on genetics that provides a great way to start learning about what may turn out to be the most important area of science and technology of the new century." www.contentville.com
Review
"...an engaging and provocative read." Canadian Bulletin of Medical History"From Chance to Choice provides a much needed discussion of the fundamental ethical and social issues raised by the application of the new genetics to human beings...a style that combines complex analysis with great readability." Helga Kuhse, Bioethics"From Chance to Choice: Genetics and Justice is a very admirable book, much deserving of the praise that is has already received... this is a very succesful volume. The authors have managed to raise an enormous range of issues related to genetic justice with great clarity. Further, they have succeeded in providing the reader with the conceptual tools necessary to begin to address these questions more fruitfully." Medical Humanities Review"Amazingly, the authors approach this millenial philosophical issue without losing humanity. Their collective style of writing is a joy to read, and their work reads more like poetry than philosophy. Like poetry, too, their words are worth returning to several times, to unearth intentionally embedded subtext with enhanced meaning. Their book will be cited often." New England Journal of Medicine"In a book which is notable both for the breadth of the questions posed and the depth of the potential responses, these four distinguished moral and political philosophers provide a much needed and well reasoned ethical compass for future journeys into genetics and genomics." Francis S. Collins, Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes for Health, Washington, D.C."...the book is an excellent analysis of how to approach the ethical dilemmas raised by biotechnology, particularly concerning distributive justice, from the standpoint of liberal theory. This is a big achievement. Buchanan, Brock, Daniels, and Wikler are on to something big." Boston Book Review"Buchanan, Brock, Daniels, and Wikler--all philosophers, each with different subspecialities in ethics and bioethics--have written a comprehensive, careful, focused, and usefully opinionated book in which they speak in a surprisingly univocal fashion.... the book's nuanced analyses and detailed arguments...are rewarding to work through." The Philosophical Review"The field of bioethics needs more books like this one." Ethics
Review
"...an engaging and provocative read." Canadian Bulletin of Medical History
Review
"From Chance to Choice provides a much needed discussion of the fundamental ethical and social issues raised by the application of the new genetics to human beings...a style that combines complex analysis with great readability." Helga Kuhse, Bioethics
Review
"From Chance to Choice: Genetics and Justice is a very admirable book, much deserving of the praise that is has already received... this is a very succesful volume. The authors have managed to raise an enormous range of issues related to genetic justice with great clarity. Further, they have succeeded in providing the reader with the conceptual tools necessary to begin to address these questions more fruitfully." Medical Humanities Review
Review
"Amazingly, the authors approach this millenial philosophical issue without losing humanity. Their collective style of writing is a joy to read, and their work reads more like poetry than philosophy. Like poetry, too, their words are worth returning to several times, to unearth intentionally embedded subtext with enhanced meaning. Their book will be cited often." New England Journal of Medicine
Review
"In a book which is notable both for the breadth of the questions posed and the depth of the potential responses, these four distinguished moral and political philosophers provide a much needed and well reasoned ethical compass for future journeys into genetics and genomics." Francis S. Collins, Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes for Health, Washington, D.C.
Review
"...the book is an excellent analysis of how to approach the ethical dilemmas raised by biotechnology, particularly concerning distributive justice, from the standpoint of liberal theory. This is a big achievement. Buchanan, Brock, Daniels, and Wikler are on to something big." Boston Book Review
Review
"Buchanan, Brock, Daniels, and Wikler--all philosophers, each with different subspecialities in ethics and bioethics--have written a comprehensive, careful, focused, and usefully opinionated book in which they speak in a surprisingly univocal fashion.... the book's nuanced analyses and detailed arguments...are rewarding to work through." The Philosophical Review
Review
"The field of bioethics needs more books like this one." Ethics
Synopsis
Written by four internationally renowned bioethicists, From Chance to Choice is the first systematic treatment of the fundamental ethical issues underlying the application of genetic technologies to human beings. Probing the implications of the remarkable advances in genetics, the authors ask how should these affect our understanding of distributive justice, equality of opportunity, the rights and obligations as parents, the meaning of disability, and the role of the concept of human nature in ethical theory and practice.
This work includes appendices that explain the nature of genetic causation and gene-environment interaction. They expose wide-spread misconceptions of genetic determinism, and outline the nature of the ethical analysis used. By examining the eugenics movement of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, From Chance to Choice is a thorough, broad-based overview of the historical context that informs the contemporary debate over the application of genetic technologies.
Synopsis
This book is the first systematic treatment of the fundamental ethical issues underlying the application of genetic technologies to human beings. The authors probe the implications of genetic advances for our understanding of distributive justice, and the role of the concept of human nature in ethical theory and practice.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction; 2. Eugenics and its shadow; 3. Genes, justice, and human nature; 4. Positive and negative genetic interventions; 5. Reproductive freedom and the prevention of harm; 6. Why not the best?; 7. Genetic intervention and the morality of inclusion; 8. Policy implications; Appendix 1. The meaning of genetic causation, by Elliott Sober; Appendix 2. Methodology; References.