Wonderwoman and Superman
Subtitle: the ethics of human biotechnology
By: John Harris.
Series: Studies in bioethics
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 1992
Place of publication: Oxford [England]; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 271
Subjects: Human reproductive technology -- Moral and ethical aspects; Genetic engineering -- Moral and ethical aspects
Description: Should we engineer changes in human beings? Ought we to use the human organism as a cell or organ bank to provide 'spare parts'? Is it wrong to buy or sell human tissue? Should we experiment on human embryos or children? We are on the brink of a revolution with far reaching implications. The revolution in molecular biology will give us the ability to divert and control human evolution to an unprecedented extent. It will enable us to manufacture new life forms to order, and to make radical changes to human beings and human nature itself. In Wonderwoman and Superman John Harris argues that the decision before us now is not whether to use this power but how and to what extent. To try to ignore or reject the advances in human biotechnology would be futile, and might lead to an immense amount of avoidable suffering. There is no safe path, however, and more positive interventions may also lead to considerable harm. What we must do is learn to choose responsibly, and this important book is about the ethics of the choices that confront us.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [258]-266) and index.