Review by Choice Review
Wingerson is editor of HMS Beagle ( ), an Internet journal for biologists. Her journalistic experience and biological knowledge work in the reader's favor--this is a great book. The numerous sidebars, a journalistic device, add a lot. Wingerson covers almost every ethical aspect of genetics by telling people's stories while displaying regard for the facts. Topics include genetic screening, eugenics, taking cells from primitive people, the human genome project and patenting, racial differences, genetic counseling, health insurance coverage, and the inheritance of criminal tendencies. All of these, and more, come alive from the viewpoints of prospective parents, scientists, Wingerson (as a conference attendee), and others. Ashkenazi Jews, African Americans, and others are treated with sympathy. Divergent viewpoints are presented; e.g., the author appears to have understanding of more than one side of the abortion controversy. The book would make a good medical ethics casebook. Notes (20 pages); further readings; list of resources, including Internet sites. Every library serving teenagers and above should have this book, and genetics instructors and their students should certainly read it. All levels. M. LaBar; Southern Wesleyan University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Wingerson examines genetic testing, especially in pregnancy, geneticists' work in Germany and the U.S. (concentrating on the Human Genome Project), and how genetic research may affect human ethnic diversity. Finally, she discusses the implications of genetic research for the future. She does all this readably, thanks to her use of extended case histories and frequent accounts of the meetings of scientists and policy activists. She explains much current and recent research, imparting a good contemporary picture of a fast-developing field, and educes many intriguing facts, such as that Tay-Sachs disease is now more common in the U.S. among non-Jews than Jews. Her summaries of government reports and of various syndromes are quite useful, and her definitions of technical terms add further value. She is especially good on the assessment of genetic risks, the importance of informed and understandable counseling, and the personal decision to have or not to have genetic tests performed. To the literature of a subject already extensively covered, Wingerson makes a positive, popular addition. William Beatty
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Approaching her subject with a journalist's objective eye, Wingerson (Mapping Our Genes) takes a comprehensive look at the issues swirling around the rapidly developing field of human genetics. She is at her best early on, discussing the personal decisions faced by couples who discover that their fetuses are likely to be born with Tay-Sachs, cystic fibrosis or any of a growing number of diseases for which prenatal genetic testing has become available. Equally moving is her account of the dilemmas faced by genetic counselors in their attempts to be caring and informative while remaining nondirective. Less successful is the book's middle section, which provides a brief history of the early eugenics movement and a discussion of the genetic effects of nuclear radiation. Wrapping up, Wingerson returns to the issues raised in her early chapters, though now focusing on social and ethical rather than personal considerations. Possible abuses of genetic information acquired by employers and insurers are covered in detail, as are the ramifications, potentially positive and negative, of the Human Genome Project. Wingerson, perhaps taking her lead from genetic counselors, raises provocative philosophical, moral and political questions but provides few answers, or even personal opinions. Throughout, numerous short, boxed features furnish background material that enables even readers with minimal scientific knowledge to gain a solid grasp of the complex issues broached. Agents, Cindy Klein and Georges Borchardt. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
This volume representes an even-handed look from a journalist at the potential benefits and problems associated with the mapping of the human genome. Inspiring stories of the successful control of genetic diseases are contrasted with prophetic models of a prejudiced healthcare system in a world where an individual's cellular content is no longer a secret. Includes a brief list of genetic disease foundations and relevant Internet sites. (LJ 9/1/98) (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The Chinese curse, ``May you live in interesting times,'' is particularly apt in light of the progress scientists are making now in mapping and sequencing the human genome. For their progress carries with it portentous issues and ethical dilemmas, here addressed by Wingerson. She begins with absorbing accounts of some of the first single-gene-defect diseases to be discoveredTay-Sachs and sickle-cell anemiaas examples of how to handle genetic information well (as Jewish groups did in the case of Tay-Sachs) and badly (as did the Air Force and others in the case of sickle-cell disease). These and other examples illustrate the many issues the author raises concerning the roles of the public, religious leaders, policymakers, commercial laboratories, obstetricians, genetic counselors, et al., as purveyors and users of genetic information. Then Wingerson (Mapping Our Genes, 1990) steps back, in almost a book-within-a-book fashion, to offer a history of the eugenics movement and sterilization laws from the turn of the century through the Nazi era, including telling profiles of the key players. Assisted by all of this stage-setting, the reader is well prepared to grapple with (and evaluate) the ``promise and power'' of human gene research, including the potential for ``cherry-picking'' only healthy clients under managed health care, prenatal testing for frivolous reasons, and the implications of behavioral-genetics studies indicating the existence of genes that are predisposed to violence or alcoholism. Intense debate is underway on such issues, with a spate of laws passed and bills proposed (enforceable or not) that can dizzy even the coolest head. In fact, it would be easy for the author to leave her reader lost in confusion or despair. But instead, Wingerson manages to conclude on an upbeat note: Human genome knowledge reveals the complexity of evolution, she affirms, since we are what we are due mainly to the interactions of multiple genes in our given environment. Few could be more knowledgeable than she is in guiding us through such hot topics.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
Review by Kirkus Book Review
