Genes [[electronic resource] ] : a philosophical inquiry / / Gordon Graham

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910451448603321
• Autore: Graham Gordon <1949 July 15->
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: London ; ; New York, : Routledge, 2002
• ISBN: 1-283-64185-2; 1-134-52756-X; 9786610111237; 1-280-11123-2; 0-203-99511-2
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (209 p.)
• Disciplina: 174/.25
• Soggetti: Genes - Philosophy; Genetic engineering - Philosophy; Genetic engineering - Environmental aspects; Electronic books.
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: Description based upon print version of record.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references (p. 186-189) and index.
• Nota di contenuto: GENES A philosophical inquiry; Copyright; Contents; Preface; 1 Science and the self-image of the age; Icon and understanding; The fractured image: Einstein vs Frankenstein; Science; Technology; Anti-science; Explaining things; Engineering things; Pure and applied science; 2 Genetic explanation; Evolution and creationism; Natural selection and 'the selfish gene'; Survival of the fittest; Altruism, homosexuality and sterility; Irreducible complexity and the biochemical; Sociobiology and evolutionary psychology; Taking stock; Memetics; 3 Genetic engineering; Genetic screening; Genetic informationGenetic modification; Environmentalism; The precautionary principle; Genetic research; The 'slippery slope' and the 'sanctity of life'; 4 Playing God; Secular versions of the sacred; Genetic trespassing; Rights and equality; Human cloning; Stem cell production; Reproductive technologies; Designer babies and eugenics; Procreative responsibility and the ethics of abortion; 'Playing God' without God; Bibliography; Index
• Sommario/riassunto: 'It's all in the genes'. Is this true, and if so, what is all in the genes? Genes: A Philosophical Inquiry is a crystal clear and highly informative guide to a debate none of us can afford to ignore.Beginning with a much-needed overview of the relationship between science and technology, Gordon Graham lucidly explains and assesses the most important and controversial aspects of the genes debate: Darwinian theory and its critics, the idea of the 'selfish' gene, evolutionary psychology, memes, genetic screening and modification, including the risks of cloning and 'designer'