02676nam 2200505Ia 450 991077844330332120221107232041.00-674-02035-910.4159/9780674020351(CKB)1000000000805436(StDuBDS)AH24023329(Au-PeEL)EBL3300514(CaPaEBR)ebr10318510(OCoLC)923112133(DE-B1597)574317(DE-B1597)9780674020351(MiAaPQ)EBC3300514(EXLCZ)99100000000080543619980220d1998 uy 0engur|||||||||||txtrdacontentcrdamediacrrdacarrierThe genetic gods[electronic resource] evolution and belief in human affairs /John C. AviseCambridge, Mass. Harvard University Press19981 online resource (viii, 279 p. ) ill0-674-34625-4 0-674-00533-3 Includes bibliographical references and index.Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- Prologue -- One. The Doctrines of Biological Science -- Two. Geneses -- Three. Genetic Maladies -- Four. Genetic Beneficence -- Five. Strategies of the Genes -- Six. Genetic Sovereignty -- Seven. New Lords of Our Genes? -- Eight. Meaning -- Epilogue -- Notes -- Glossary -- IndexIn clear terms, John Avise reviews discoveries in molecular biology, evolutionary genetics, and human genetic engineering, and discusses the relevance of these findings to issues of concern traditionally reserved for mythology, theology and religious faith.;The text explains how the "genetic gods" figure in our development - not just our metabolism and physiology, but even our emotional disposition, personality, ethical leanings and even 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 late-1990s genetic knowledge can inform attempts to answer typically religious questions - about origins, fate and meaning.GeneticsPopular worksEvolutionary geneticsPopular worksGeneticsEvolutionary genetics576Avise John C531461MiAaPQMiAaPQMiAaPQBOOK9910778443303321The genetic gods3745166UNINA