The Presence of Camoes: Influences on the Literature of England, America, and Southern AfricaUniversity Press of Kentucky, 1996 - 189 pages In 2001 the Human Genome Project announced that it had successfully mapped the entire genetic content of human DNA. Scientists, politicians, theologians, and pundits speculated about what would follow, conjuring everything from nightmare scenarios of state-controlled eugenics to the hope of engineering disease-resistant newborns. As with debates surrounding stem-cell research, the seemingly endless possibilities of genetic engineering will continue to influence public opinion and policy into the foreseeable future. Beyond Biotechnology: The Barren Promise of Genetic Engineering distinguishes between the hype and reality of this technology and explains the nuanced and delicate relationship between science and nature. Authors Craig Holdrege and Steve Talbott evaluate the current state of genetic science and examine its potential applications, particularly in agriculture and medicine, as well as the possible dangers. The authors show how the popular view of genetics does not include an understanding of the ways in which genes actually work together in organisms. Simplistic and reductionist views of genes lead to unrealistic expectations and, ultimately, disappointment in the results that genetic engineering actually delivers. The authors explore new developments in genetics, from the discovery of Ònon-DarwinianÓ adaptative mutations in bacteria to evidence that suggests that organisms are far more than mere collections of genetically driven mechanisms. While examining these issues, the authors also answer vital questions that get to the essence of genetic interaction with human biology: Does DNA ÒmanageÓ an organism any more than the organism manages its DNA? Should genetically engineered products be labeled as such? Do the methods of the genetic engineer resemble the centuries-old practices of animal husbandry? Written for lay readers, Beyond Biotechnology is an accessible introduction to the complicated issues of genetic engineering and its potential applications. In the unexplored space between nature and laboratory, a new science is waiting to emerge. Technology-based social and environmental solutions will remain tenuous and at risk of reversal as long as our culture is alienated from the plants and animals on which all life depends. |
Other editions - View all
The Presence of Camões: Influences on the Literature of England, America ... George Monteiro No preview available - 1996 |
Common terms and phrases
Adamastor Adamson Alma minha gentil Antonio appears Blake Bowra Brazil Brazilian Burton Camões's Camões's epic Camões's poem Camões's sonnet Camonean Canto Cape of Storms Catarina to Camoëns century copy death Edgar Allan Poe edition Elizabeth Barrett Browning Elizabeth Bishop Emily Dickinson English Epic Poem Epic Poetry Essay on Epic Fanshawe Fanshawe's Fernando Pessoa Gama George Monteiro Hayley's Herman Melville Ibid Jorge de Sena language Letters Letzring lines Lisbon literary Literature London Longfellow Lota lover Luis de Camoens Luis de Camões Lusiad Lusíadas lyric poetry Melville's poem Mickle Mickle's translation Moby-Dick Oxford Petrarch Poe's poet's poetic Poetry of Europe Poets and Poetry Portugal Portuguese of Luis Press published Questions of Travel quoted reprinted Richard Roy Campbell Southern African stanzas story Strangford's Poems Strangford's translations sweetest eyes Tasso thee thou tion trans translation of Camões's Univ Vasco William Hayley William Julius Writings of Luis wrote York