Engineering Genesis

Recent developments in biotechnology, such as the cloning of Dolly the sheep and the introduction of transgenic foodstuffs, have grabbed public attention and aroused enormous controversy. The ethical issues raised are complicated and fundamental to the reception of these new technologies. In Engineering Genesis, a very distinguished and multi-disciplinary group of researchers--in genetics, agriculture, animal welfare, ethics, theology, sociology, and risk--brought together by the Society, Religion and Technology Project of the Church of Scotland, set out to present a balanced response to the new developments. A number of case studies present all the main innovations: 1. Animal cloning; 2. Pharmaceutical production from animals; 3. Cross-species transplants; and 4. Genetically modified foods. From these the authors develop a careful analysis of the ethical and social implications - offering contrasting perspectives and insightful arguments which, above all, will enable readers to form their own judgements on these vital questions.