Scan barcode
dimayj's review
4.0
Here's another great book about genetic engineering with a futuristic focus. "Hacking Darwin" discusses the power of genetic technology and its possible future societal and ethical implications.
The book covers numerous topics including gene editing tools such as CRISPR, the future of reproduction and human enhancement, preimplantation genetic screening and editing, mitochondrial replacement therapy, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in gene editing, ageing, etc. An overview of the science and technology of genetic engineering is provided in a very comprehensible way even to readers who do not have a scientific background.
The author elegantly weaves the scientific, social, and ethical perspectives in his analyses and offers balanced views on the positives and negatives based on research. He draws parallels between the future of human enhancement with past and current events, such as the Eugenics movement of the 20th century and the cultural diversity between nations in relation to genetically modified (GM) food and crops. There’s also a very insightful talk about the importance of diversity for human survival.
The author provides future predictions of genetic engineering and possible conversations between parents and doctors about embryo gene editing and enhancement for certain traits. At the moment, there are so many technical and scientific challenges and many undiscovered biological pathways that these future scenarios might seem far-fetched. We might not be there yet, but given the rate at which advancements are being made, this book would definitely make you think deep about these future dilemmas and the need for global regulations.
My only one criticism is that discussions sometimes get lengthy and protracted particularly in the final chapters. Nevertheless, I’d definitely recommend this thought-provoking and insightful read.
The book covers numerous topics including gene editing tools such as CRISPR, the future of reproduction and human enhancement, preimplantation genetic screening and editing, mitochondrial replacement therapy, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in gene editing, ageing, etc. An overview of the science and technology of genetic engineering is provided in a very comprehensible way even to readers who do not have a scientific background.
The author elegantly weaves the scientific, social, and ethical perspectives in his analyses and offers balanced views on the positives and negatives based on research. He draws parallels between the future of human enhancement with past and current events, such as the Eugenics movement of the 20th century and the cultural diversity between nations in relation to genetically modified (GM) food and crops. There’s also a very insightful talk about the importance of diversity for human survival.
The author provides future predictions of genetic engineering and possible conversations between parents and doctors about embryo gene editing and enhancement for certain traits. At the moment, there are so many technical and scientific challenges and many undiscovered biological pathways that these future scenarios might seem far-fetched. We might not be there yet, but given the rate at which advancements are being made, this book would definitely make you think deep about these future dilemmas and the need for global regulations.
My only one criticism is that discussions sometimes get lengthy and protracted particularly in the final chapters. Nevertheless, I’d definitely recommend this thought-provoking and insightful read.
disastrouspenguin's review
3.0
Jamie Metzl is here to start a conversation, so if you go into this book expecting a lot of science (me, oops), you're going to be disappointed.
He does briefly review the history and current status of genetic modification, but there's not of the when, where, why, and how of it. Instead, after posing some information or some hypothesis, he follows up with hypothetical situations that may result. I dislike how he states his opinions as inevitable facts/outcomes, especially in the beginning of the book. That said, there are some genuinely difficult and worthwhile questions that, as he proposes, should be considered by society as a whole sooner rather than later.
He does briefly review the history and current status of genetic modification, but there's not of the when, where, why, and how of it. Instead, after posing some information or some hypothesis, he follows up with hypothetical situations that may result. I dislike how he states his opinions as inevitable facts/outcomes, especially in the beginning of the book. That said, there are some genuinely difficult and worthwhile questions that, as he proposes, should be considered by society as a whole sooner rather than later.
madisonmila's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting take, really informative. A good read, just definitely bordered on repetitive in some chapters.
jessicaleza's review against another edition
1.0
High on the eugenics and pronatalism, low on class analysis. Jamie Metzl spends most of this book stating what he believes the future holds, but stated as if these things are facts.
If you want to read about the history of genetics as a science, a far better choice is "The Gene: An Intimate History" by Siddhartha Mukherjee.
If you want to read about the history of genetics as a science, a far better choice is "The Gene: An Intimate History" by Siddhartha Mukherjee.
misterfix's review
3.0
Initially I struggled with this book as the author favoured the techno-utopian perspective, thankfully later chapters brought more balanced alternatives and concerns. Still I do not agree with his conclusions regarding some aspects of genetic engineering and man's apparent omnipresent battle with nature.
In presenting humans pursuit of knowledge regarding cancer and domesticing crop's the author seems naive at best and disingenuous at worst when he writes "...we balanced the costs and benefits and moved forward with imperfect information and a desire to learn and do more." It's like watching Claude Rains react with feigned shock at witnessing gambling in Rick's, only to moments later surreptitiously receive his winnings. Not including PROFIT as a (if not THE) central motivating factor and therefore criticism, is a critical error in the thinking of all too many techno true believers.
The author deserves credit for navigating and studying such a controversial subject that is so fraught with potential for destructive consequences if not applied judiciously. I appreciated observations such as "Why breed people for superior IQ when we could significantly enhance our society's collective intellectual and problem solving capability by providing real opportunity and better schools to the least advantaged among us?", and "Diversity is our species' greatest asset should we chose to embrace it. Reducing our diversity, even with the best of intentions, could become our Achilles' heel." Of 182
Then there are doozies like, "If we had demanded equal access to smartphones for everyone from the get go, the smartphone industry would never have grown quickly enough to drive down prices to where these phones became accessable to poor people around the world" huh?! Contradictory and incorrect plus once again it doesn't deal with the inherent problem that capitalism, as presently practiced, perpetuates inequality.
Particularly appreciate later chapters 8, 9 as they confront challenges.
Author's continuing mantra "...we are in a perpetual struggle with the cruelty of the natural world." and his desire "...to transcend our limited biology and, someday, our time-limited planet." was impossible to get pay as it colored so many of the author's conclusions and observations.
In presenting humans pursuit of knowledge regarding cancer and domesticing crop's the author seems naive at best and disingenuous at worst when he writes "...we balanced the costs and benefits and moved forward with imperfect information and a desire to learn and do more." It's like watching Claude Rains react with feigned shock at witnessing gambling in Rick's, only to moments later surreptitiously receive his winnings. Not including PROFIT as a (if not THE) central motivating factor and therefore criticism, is a critical error in the thinking of all too many techno true believers.
The author deserves credit for navigating and studying such a controversial subject that is so fraught with potential for destructive consequences if not applied judiciously. I appreciated observations such as "Why breed people for superior IQ when we could significantly enhance our society's collective intellectual and problem solving capability by providing real opportunity and better schools to the least advantaged among us?", and "Diversity is our species' greatest asset should we chose to embrace it. Reducing our diversity, even with the best of intentions, could become our Achilles' heel." Of 182
Then there are doozies like, "If we had demanded equal access to smartphones for everyone from the get go, the smartphone industry would never have grown quickly enough to drive down prices to where these phones became accessable to poor people around the world" huh?! Contradictory and incorrect plus once again it doesn't deal with the inherent problem that capitalism, as presently practiced, perpetuates inequality.
Particularly appreciate later chapters 8, 9 as they confront challenges.
Author's continuing mantra "...we are in a perpetual struggle with the cruelty of the natural world." and his desire "...to transcend our limited biology and, someday, our time-limited planet." was impossible to get pay as it colored so many of the author's conclusions and observations.
mdross1's review
1.0
For similar but significantly better content I’d recommend The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee, and Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari. Skip this one.
I get what the author’s trying to do with his interspersed “narrative style” chapters but they’re so self-important and melodramatic that it ripped my attention away from the rest of the book.
I get what the author’s trying to do with his interspersed “narrative style” chapters but they’re so self-important and melodramatic that it ripped my attention away from the rest of the book.