Contested reproduction
Subtitle: genetic technologies, religion, and public debate
By: John H. Evans.
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Chicago; London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 267
ISBN-13: 9780226222653; 9780226222660
Subjects: Human reproductive technology -- Religious aspects; Abortion -- Religious aspects; Eugenics -- Religious aspects; Human evolution -- Religious aspects
Description: Overview: Scientific breakthroughs have led us to a point where soon we will be able to make specific choices about the genetic makeup of our offspring. In fact, this reality has arrived-and it is only a matter of time before the technology becomes widespread. Much like past arguments about stem-cell research, the coming debate over these reproductive genetic technologies (RGTs) will be both political and, for many people, religious. In order to understand how the debate will play out in the United States, John H. Evans conducted the first in-depth study of the claims made about RGTs by religious people from across the political spectrum, and Contested Reproduction is the stimulating result. Some of the opinions Evans documents are familiar, but others-such as the idea that certain genetic conditions produce a "meaningful suffering" that is, ultimately, desirable-provide a fascinating glimpse of religious reactions to cutting-edge science. Not surprisingly, Evans discovers that for many people opinion on the issue closely relates to their feelings about abortion, but he also finds a shared moral language that offers a way around the unproductive polarization of the abortion debate and other culture-war concerns. Admirably evenhanded, Contested Reproduction is a prescient, profound look into the future of a hot-button issue.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: The history of abortion, reproductive genetic technologies, and the contemporary public's views; title: Talking about embryonic life; title: Nature, God, humanity, and promethean fatalism; title: Human dignity and equality of treatment; title: Meaningful suffering; title: Will religious discourse about reproductive genetic technologies limit debate?; title: Conclusions; title: Appendix A. methodological appendix; title: Appendix B. religious respondent interview guide.