The Biotech Century
When two Scottish scientists successfully cloned a sheep in July 1996, the news sparked fierce scientific,  ethical, theological, and philosophical debate, momentarily pulling biotechnology from the laboratories and thrusting it  onto the front pages. With living proof that such advancements are no longer the stuff of science fiction, a whole new  world of possibilities--and dangers--presented itself. Jeremy Rifkin is more concerned with the dangers of this  technology, and inThe Biotech Century, he presents numerous compelling reasons why we should be, too.  Many of these dangers revolve around the seemingly inevitable commercialization of genetically engineered life forms  that would come if corporations battled for the rights to patents on new or modified species of plants, animals, or even  human beings. Rifkin warns that "designer" babies and genetically perfect humans, along with any other  artificial creations, would wreak havoc with the gene pool and the natural environment. While he concedes that there  are benefits to biotechnology, he makes it clear that the risks far outweigh the rewards at this time, urging for greater  restraint and responsibility before opening what could be a Pandora's box.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.