Genes : a philosophical inquiry / Gordon Graham.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Graham, Gordon, 1949 July 15-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Genes--Philosophy.

Genes.

Genetic engineering--Philosophy.

Genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering--Environmental aspects.

Philosophy.

Physical Description:

xii, 196 pages ; 21 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2002.

Contents:

1 Science and the self-image of the age 1

Icon and understanding 1

The fractured image: Einstein vs Frankenstein 7

Science 9

Technology 14

Anti-science 19

Explaining things 21

Engineering things 25

Pure and applied science 27

2 Genetic explanation 31

Evolution and creationism 32

Natural selection and 'the selfish gene' 38

Survival of the fittest 46

Altruism, homosexuality and sterility 49

Irreducible complexity and the biochemical 56

Sociobiology and evolutionary psychology 66

Taking stock 80

Memetics 82

3 Genetic engineering 91

Genetic screening 93

Genetic information 103

Genetic modification 113

Environmentalism 121

The precautionary principle 126

Genetic research 130

The 'slippery slope' and the 'sanctity of life' 135

4 Playing God 143

Secular versions of the sacred 143

Genetic trespassing 146

Rights and equality 150

Human cloning 153

Stem cell production 159

Reproductive technologies 162

Designer babies and eugenics 169

Procreative responsibility and the ethics of abortion 175

'Playing God' without God 180.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 186-189) and index.

ISBN:

0415252571

041525258X

OCLC:

50132285