Download or read book GenEthics and Religion written by Georg Pfleiderer and published by Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers. This book was released on 2010-01-01 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Human gene and cell technology is a diverse and rapidly evolving field of research. As genes represent the 'blueprint' of an organism, their analysis and manipulation is a challenge to our understanding of human nature. Stem cell research, genetic testing, gene therapy, therapeutic and reproductive cloning -- all these fields of application have been raising fundamental ethical and religious-theological questions: When does human life begin? Should human beings be allowed to interfere with natural procreation or to manipulate the genome of their own species? Is genetic engineering tantamount to 'playing God'? Based on the symposium 'GenEthics and Religion' held in Basel, Switzerland in May 2008, this volume examines the role religion can play in establishing ethical guidelines to protect human life in the face of rapid advances in biology and especially gene technology. It does so in a multidisciplinary way with contributions by philosophers, theologians, human geneticists, and several bioethicists representing the Christian, Jewish, Islamic and Buddhist perspectives. The essays illustrating a diversity of views and expressing the problems and self-critical reflectiveness of religious ethicists have been brought up to date and discuss the importance of religious ethics in society's discourse on gene technology.

Download or read book On the New Frontiers of Genetics and Religion written by John Robert Nelson and published by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. This book was released on 1994 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Innovative Uses of Genetic Science in Human Medicine and health promotion are now provoking new ethical and religious concerns as well as raising hopes. As the public becomes increasingly aware of the scientific discoveries in the field of genetics - discoveries that appear at once promising and problematic - people are also beginning to ask important fundamental questions: What does this biological revolution have to do with religious beliefs and ethics? How should Christians interpret its significance? Drawing from the work of 260 scientific, medical, and religious professionals who met to discuss genetic research under the auspices of the nation's Human Genome Project in 1990 and 1992, J. Robert Nelson fairly and expertly probes such pressing topics as genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, the treatment of inherited diseases, and the temptation to seek eugenic improvements of human nature and capabilities. Religious critiques by leading experts from Jewish, Christian, and other traditions also help to explain the two sides of human genetic science: the possibilities for good and the dangers of abuse.

Download or read book Genethics written by David T. Suzuki and published by London : Unwin Paperbacks. This book was released on 1990 with total page 372 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Unprecedented Choices written by Audrey R. Chapman and published by Fortress Press. This book was released on 1999-01-01 with total page 278 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "We face unprecedented choices in genetics for which traditional ethics provides little direct guidance. What role can the religious community play in addressing the ethical and theological issues that even scientists now acknowledge as urgent?"--cover.

Download or read book The Genetic Gods written by John C. Avise and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2009-06-30 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: They mastermind our lives, shaping our features, our health, and our behavior, even in the sacrosanct realms of love and sex, religion, aging, and death. Yet we are the ones who house, perpetuate, and give the promise of immortality to these biological agents, our genetic gods. The link between genes and gods is hardly arbitrary, as the distinguished evolutionary geneticist John Avise reveals in this compelling book. In clear, straightforward terms, Avise reviews recent discoveries in molecular biology, evolutionary genetics, and human genetic engineering, and discusses the relevance of these findings to issues of ultimate concern traditionally reserved for mythology, theology, and religious faith. The book explains how the genetic gods figure in our development--not just our metabolism and physiology, but even our emotional disposition, personality, ethical leanings, and, indeed, religiosity. Yet genes are physical rather than metaphysical entities. Having arisen via an amoral evolutionary process--natural selection--genes have no consciousness, no sentient code of conduct, no reflective concern about the consequences of their actions. It is Avise's contention that current genetic knowledge can inform our attempts to answer typically religious questions--about origins, fate, and meaning. The Genetic Gods challenges us to make the necessary connection between what we know, what we believe, and what we embody. Table of Contents: Preface Prologue 1. The Doctrines of Biological Science 2. Geneses 3. Genetic Maladies 4. Genetic Beneficence 5. Strategies of the Genes 6. Genetic Sovereignty 7. New Lords of Our Genes? 8. Meaning Epilogue Notes Glossary Index Reviews of this book: Our genes, [Avise] says, are responsible not only for how we got here and exist day to day, but also for the core of our being--our personalities and morals. It is our genetic make-up that allows for and formulates our religious belief systems, he argues. Avise does not eschew spirituality but seeks a more informed, less confrontational approach between science and the pulpit. --Science News Reviews of this book: For the general scientific reader, the book is an excellent distillation of a broad and increasingly important field, a course of causation that cannot be ignored. From advising expectant parents to getting innocent people off death row, genetics increasingly dominates our lives. The sections on genetics are expertly written, particularly for those readers without in-depth knowledge. The author explains slowly and carefully just how genetics operates, using multiple metaphors. His genetic discourse proceeds in a neighborly fashion, as one might tell stories while sitting in a rocking chair at a country store. He seems to be invigorated by genes and just can't wait to tell about them. --David W. Hodo, Journal of the American Medical Association Reviews of this book: As a whole, this book is quite informative and stimulating, and sections of it are beautifully written. Indeed, Professor Avise has a real gift for prose and scientific expositions, and I would suspect that he must be a formidable lecturer...At its core, [The Genetic Gods] is a survey, and a very nice one at that, of evolutionary genetics, the field of the author's major research interests. There is a strong sociobiological cast to the arguments, and the work and ideas of E. O. Wilson figure prominently. The presentation of evolutionary genetics is imbedded in a more general discussion of modern human and molecular genetics...However, this book is, most of all, a philosophical treatise that attempts, admittedly with the bias of a biologist, to examine the intersection of the fundamental premises of evolution and religion. Professor Avise has given us plenty to think about in this book [and]...it was a real pleasure to wrestle with the ideas he was presenting. I would suggest that other readers give it a try. --Charles J. Epstein, Trends in Genetics Reviews of this book: [Avise's] account of the role genes play in shaping the human condition is wholly involving, paying particular attention to issues of reproduction, aging and death. In addition to presenting ample biological information in a form accessible to the nonspecialist, Avise does a superb job of discussing many of the ethical implications that have arisen from our growing knowledge of human genetics. Just a few of the topics covered are genetic engineering, the patenting of life, genetic screening, abortion, human cloning, gene therapy and insurance-related controversies. --Publishers Weekly Reviews of this book: Avise explains thoroughly how evolution operates on a genetic level. His goal is to show that humans can look to this information as a way to answer fundamental questions of life instead of looking to traditional religious beliefs...Avise includes some very interesting discussions of ethical concerns related to genetic issues. --Eric D. Albright, Library Journal This is a splendid account of a subject that affects us all: the breathtaking increase in understanding of human genetics and the insight it provides into human evolution. John Avise speaks with authority of molecular evolutionary genetics and with affecting compassion of what it might mean. --Douglas J. Futuyma, State University of New York at Stony Brook The Genetic Gods is many things. It is a wonderful introduction to modern molecular biology, by a man who knows his subject backwards. It is a stimulating account of the ways in which genetics impinges on human nature--our thinking and our behavior. It is a remarkably level-headed and sympathetic account of the implications of our new findings for traditional and not-so-traditional issues in philosophy and religion. In an age of genetic counseling, cloning, construction of new life forms, the book is worth its weight in gold for this alone. But most of all, it is a huge amount of fun to read--you want to applaud or argue with the author on nigh every page. Highly recommended! --Michael Ruse, University of Guelph The Genetic Gods makes a valuable contribution to the on-going task of sorting out the implications of evolutionary biology and genetics for human self-understanding. Avise addresses, with authority and grace, the most consequential intellectual issues of our time. A challenging and insightful book. --Loyal Rue, Harvard University A wonderfully informative and engaging book. Avise offers a lucid, accessible primer on our genes, angelic and demonic, and examines religious and ethical issues, all too human, now confronted by genetic science. He makes a compelling case that anyone seeking to 'Know Thyself' should study the DNA molecular scriptures, our most ancient and universal legacy. --Dudley Herschbach, Harvard University, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

Download or read book A Christian Response to the New Genetics written by David H. Smith and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2003 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Life is a gift that includes powers to be used and celebrated, but that doesn't necessarily justify the use of every new power that comes along. This volume appeals to both secular and religious readers in the centre of the great debate over our new genetic powers. These essays affirm many traditional Christian perspectives and virtues, while also introducing new insights. transfer, genetic manipulation, patenting, health insurance and the moral status of embryos. They conclude that it is naive to either to reject outright or wholeheartedly embrace the new genetic powers. In fact, sometimes the best we can expect is to learn how to cope with moral uncertainty.

Download or read book The God Gene written by Dean H. Hamer and published by Anchor. This book was released on 2005 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Argues that humans are genetically predisposed toward religious faith, explaining why spiritual belief provides an evolutionary advantage and analyzes the DNA makeup of people of various ages and backgrounds to identify a so-called God gene.

Download or read book Playing God written by Ted Peters and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2014-04-04 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the original publication of Playing God? in 1996, three developments in genetic technology have moved to the center of the public conversation about the ethics of human bioengineering. Cloning, the completion of the human genome project, and, most recently, the controversy over stem cell research have all sparked lively debates among religious thinkers and the makers of public policy. In this updated edition, Ted Peters illuminates the key issues in these debates and continues to make deft connections between our questions about God and our efforts to manage technological innovations with wisdom.

Download or read book Genetic Engineering written by Timothy J. Demy and published by Kregel Academic. This book was released on with total page 326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Genetics is currently at the forefront of scientific research and discussed almost daily in the media. The possibilities for good and bad applications of this research are enormous and cannot be properly advanced without a Christian response. This cutting-edge book presents the legal, scientific, medical, and theological perspectives of genetic engineering based on a Christian worldview.

Download or read book Brave New World written by Celia Deane-Drummond and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 2003-11-01 with total page 380 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of the key issues facing us in the next millennium is the ability to manipulate the genetics of living organisms. The possibility of manipulating human genetics raises many theological, ethical and socio-political issues. These include specific decisions about whether the technology will be developed, how it will be applied and more general questions about the technical manipulation of 'natural' processes. From a theological perspective the human genome project not only challenges particular doctrines, such as that of creation, eschatology and anthropology, but also raises particular issues of social justice and medical ethics. The purpose of this book is to bring together the collective expertise of theologians, scientists and social scientists in order to provide a forum for critique and public debate focused on the human genome project.It is hoped that the results presented in this book offer a sophisticated theological and ethical response.

Download or read book Made in Whose Image written by Thomas Anthony Shannon and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Details the history and progression of genetic engineering and examines the ways that genetic research conflicts with Christian ethics.

Download or read book Genetics and Christian Ethics written by Celia Deane-Drummond and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2006 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the immediate future we are likely to witness significant developments in human genetic science. It is therefore of critical importance that Christian ethics engages with the genetics debate, since it affects not just the way we perceive ourselves and the natural world, but also has wider implications for our society. This book considers ethical issues arising out of specific practices in human genetics, including genetic screening, gene patenting, gene therapy, genetic counselling as well as feminist concerns. Genetics and Christian Ethics argues for a particular theo-ethical approach that derives from a modified version of virtue ethics, drawing particularly on a Thomistic understanding of the virtues, especially prudence or practical wisdom and justice. The book demonstrates that a theological voice is highly relevant to contested ethical debates about genetics.

Download or read book Genethics written by David Heyd and published by University of California Press. This book was released on 2021-01-08 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Unprecedented advances in medicine, genetic engineering, and demographic forecasting raise new questions that strain the categories and assumptions of traditional ethical theories. Heyd's approach resolves many paradoxes in intergenerational justice, while offering a major test case for the profound problems of the limits of ethics and the nature of value. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1992.

Download or read book A Companion to Genethics written by Justine Burley and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2008-04-15 with total page 508 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Companion to Genethics is the first substantial study of the multifaceted dimensions of the genetic revolution and its philosophical, ethical, social and political significance. Brings together the best and most influential writing about the ethics of genetics; Includes 33 newly-commissioned essays, all written by prominent figures in the field; Shows how there is scarcely a part of our lives left unaffected by the impact of the new genetics.

Download or read book Genes Genesis and God written by Holmes Rolston and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1999-02-13 with total page 420 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book argues that the phenomena of religion can not be reduced to the phenomena of biology.

Download or read book Genes Determinism and God written by Denis Alexander and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2017-07-10 with total page 395 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the past centuries the pendulum has constantly swung between an emphasis on the role of either nature or nurture in shaping human destiny, a pendulum often energised by ideological considerations. In recent decades the flourishing of developmental biology, genomics, epigenetics and our increased understanding of neuronal plasticity have all helped to subvert such dichotomous notions. Nevertheless, the media still report the discovery of a gene 'for' this or that behaviour, and the field of behavioural genetics continues to extend its reach into the social sciences, reporting the heritability of such human traits as religiosity and political affiliation. There are many continuing challenges to notions of human freedom and moral responsibility, with consequent implications for social flourishing, the legal system and religious beliefs. In this book, Denis Alexander critically examines these challenges, concluding that genuine free will, often influenced by genetic variation, emerges from an integrated view of human personhood derived from contemporary biology.

Download or read book Made in Whose Image written by Thomas A. Shannon and published by Humanities Press International. This book was released on 1997-01-01 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The ability of medical science to clone and perhaps even predetermine characteristics of certain species conflicts dramatically with many claims of the religious establishment. Opening with a description of various developments in plant, animal, and human genetics, Made in Whose Image? highlights the progress genetic research has achieved, its future promise, and its social impact. The developments are analyzed from the perspective of Christian ethics, as expounded by Roman Catholic and Protestant theorists to give an overview of crucial ethical issues.