Because of the prohibitive expense of ICSI, they instead choose to use a sperm donor. A third couple hope a vector will be found to carry genetic material into the lungs to thin the secretions of their child who is choking on the viscid mucus of cystic fibrosis. A concise but complete survey of the elements of heredity follows, beginning with Mendel and ending with the Human Genome Project, including brief stops in eugenics, cloning, and assisted reproductive technology. But what is 'better' a cool head or a warm heart, high sensitivity or robustness, a placid or rebellious temperament, and in what proportion or distribution. McGee expands on this survey, noting that most academicians fail to descend into the world of everyday experience.
Technology is unavoidable and no more artificial and any other kind of human activity. . . .
Our attempts and our technologies are suffused with values. The hammer is raw materials fashioned into a tool. As a tool, it expresses our values and goals. Thus the choice of a new technology is not instrumentalist, nor are particular technologies value-free. . . . A wonderful exploration follows of what it means to be a parent and the opportunities and responsibilities entailed in use of genetics testing and assisted reproduction.