Review by Choice Review
Appleyard means to provoke but might have done so more forcibly if his book were less of a pastiche. The threads of his argument, laudatory per se, become frayed from overquotation. He makes much use of and parries the work of Edward O. Wilson, whose insights are valuable contributions to defining the near-term future. His notation is unusual and imprecise: it is not accounted for; the nine pages of notes refer back to citation use only by chapter and page. In-text numbering would have been more efficient for the reader. The key chapter is "The Mighty Gene." Appleyard overstates the case for DNA as controlling; it is the repository of the genetic blueprint, but like all design archives, translation is required. Small errors have crept in, e.g., sickle-cell trait (heterozygous) does carry some risk by itself, while sickle cell anemia (homozygous) may shorten the life span; and on p. 72 it is the National Academy of Sciences' recognition of the intellectual diversity of science. Indexing seems eclectic: Victor A. McKusick is mentioned once and indexed as such; Napoleon is mentioned twice but not indexed. An interesting work that should promote useful skepticism but not the definitive statement. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. D. R. Shanklin; University of Chicago
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In a less-than-subtle anti-science polemic, London Times columnist Appleyard (Understanding the Present) addresses some of the myriad ramifications of our expanding knowledge of genetics. "Concealed within the knowledge we are now acquiring are insights that may be profoundly socially divisive and which could overthrow the basis on which the wealth and stability of Western democracies are constructed," is one of his many pronouncements. Appleyard adequately explores some of the obvious ethical implications sure to be present in a future in which our genetic makeups are known to all and possibly open to manipulation: selective abortion of fetuses not to the liking of prospective parents; the refusal of insurance companies to cover individuals with genetic predispositions for certain disorders; the inevitable quagmire in the criminal justice system when criminals argue that their genes forced them to act in an antisocial manner. His main point, however, is that the social implications of science are far too important to be left solely to the scientists. But try as he might to whip this thesis into a controversy, most readers will find it a straw man, as few scientists disagree with Appleyard's view. There are many, however, who would argue strenuously with his overly simplified attacks on scientists and the scientific methodfor example, that "[i]n order to become scientific, we must become inhuman." Try telling that to Einstein, Tagore or Bohm. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Appleyard, a columnist for the Sunday Times, provides thought-provoking insights on the effect of the genetic revolution on society. He is extremely concerned about our increasing and unquestioning reliance on scientific information at the expense of societal values and behaviors. Of particular interest is his discussion of modern eugenics from its inception to the present day, with a look at possible future eugenic applications. Appleyard is an admitted skeptic of things genetic and scientific, and this is very evident in his book's tone. While readers may not agree with many of Appleyard's ideas, they should be inspired to question and evaluate their own opinions on the issues. Although the volume is intended mainly for the nonscientist reader, some prior knowledge of the issues involved is needed. Recommended for large public, academic, and health libraries.Tina Neville, Univ. of South Florida at St. Petersburg Lib. (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
Appleyard, a special-feature writer and columnist for the Sunday Times of London, is worried. He worries through all 200- odd pages of this jeremiad against modern biology and the new ``scientism,'' offering no alternative but to resist. The result is 200 odd pages indeed. His fearsof genetic determinism, designer babies, human cloningare familiar. Appleyard adds nothing to the literature here and indeed perpetuates the myth that nature and nurture are well nigh dichotomous. Elsewhere he rehashes earlier indictments of scientists playing God. While not contesting Appleyards argument that the science of warfare has added immense powers of destruction, one can easily argue that the reasons for wars are anything but scientificbeing grounded in greed, religious belief, xenophobia, etc. Appleyard is quite right in stating that the 21st century will be the era of biology as the 20th has been that of physics. But, in parallel with what has happened in physics, the more science discovers about genetics and gene-environment interactions, the more complex it becomes. It will not be a simple matter of a gene ``for'' this or that, but of interactions of many genes with environmental factors that are neither stable nor predictable. The pursuit of new knowledge will continue in spite of Appleyard andas already mandated by lawwith concerns for the ethical, legal, and social implications of that knowledge. Appleyard might also be on the mark in the consequences for health care in America. If private insurers continue to drop even newborns because of a ``pre-existing condition,'' America may well have to opt for some form of universal government-based coverage. The world grows more complex and the world of biology more exhilarating and exciting. It is far better for us all to be as informed as possible to temper the excesses of biologists who might play Godas well as the Appleyards whose fearmongering posits science as the root of all evil.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
Review by Kirkus Book Review
