The debate over human Genetic Engineering (GE) is about to go mainstream. Not as a one-day wonder about cloning or a theological disagreement about embryos, but as a major political issue, driven in part by a grassroots movement of opposition. "Human Genetic Engineering" is a highly readable and entertaining guide. It explains in accessible language for a popular audience the essential questions that will arise in the future debates: What is human GE? Will it work? What perspectives should we remember? Who is doing what, and why?

"Shanks, a grassroots political activist, offers a primer not just on the modification of the human genome, but on all fronts of the biotechnology debate, from cloning to stem cells, gene therapy and the genetic engineering of food. Designed in handbook style, with bulleted lists of key ideas, bold-faced terms and cross-references sprinkling the page, the book includes only a teaspoonful of science, just enough to give a lay reader some idea of the vocabulary of biotech. Shanks is fairly accurate but overly dismissive of some promising avenues of research, such as gene therapy. And while he makes gestures toward representing both pro- and anti-biotech views, Shanks can't resist quoting others who call the proponents of cloning irrational or elitist. In the last two chapters, the gloves come off: Shanks wholeheartedly endorses the banning of cloning and many other cutting-edge technologies, patting himself on the back for working with some of the leaders of the opposition to biotechnology. With its emphasis on social justice issues, this fairly one-sided overview would more accurately be subtitled 'A Guide to the Perplexed Progressive.' (June)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

California-based writer and grassroots activist for peace and justice, Shanks offers an overview of the engineering of human genes, along with lots of references to deeper information and contacts for activism. Among his perspectives are clowns and cowboys in the cloning circus, selling human GE, gene doping in sports, manipulating public opinion, advocates and enablers, and AWOL regulators. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

A highly readable and entertaining guide that answers the question, "What exactly is human genetic engineering?"