Taking Biology Seriously: What Biology Can and Cannot Tell Us About Moral and Public Policy Issues

by Inmaculada De Melo-Martín

Overview

Discussions of human biology and its consequences for ethics and public policy are often misguided. Both proponents and critics of behavioral genetics, reproductive cloning, and genetic testing have mistaken beliefs about the role of genes in human life. Taking Biology Seriously calls attention to the social context in which both the science and our ethical precepts and public policies play a role.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742549210
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/06/2005
Pages:	172
Product dimensions:	7.60(w) x 8.94(h) x 0.52(d)

About the Author

Inmaculada de Melo-Mart'n, previously Associate Professor of Philosophy at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX, is now a Research Ethicist in the Division of Medical Ethics in the Department of Public Health, Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Misunderstanding Biology: Epistemological, Scientific, and Moral Problems Chapter 2 Biological Explanations and Social Responsibility Chapter 3 An Introduction to the Science of Cloning Chapter 4 Cloning—or not—Human Beings Chapter 5 Putting Human Cloning Where It belongs Chapter 6 Obtaining Genetic Information Chapter 7 Genetic Information and Moral Obligation Chapter 8 Moral Obligations, Genetic Information, and Social Context Chapter 9 On the Need to Take Biology Seriously Part 22 Genetic Information and Moral Obligations

Editorial Reviews

In an age of genetic information and promised enhancements, we wonder what biology can tell us – and what it can’t — about how we should live. This superbly clear and sensible book, written by a philosopher trained in biology, is a perfect introduction to this important question. Professor DeMelo-Martin takes us briskly through central social controversies concerning intelligence, aggression, gender, cloning, and genetics, on a guided tour of blind alleys, inaccurate assumptions, and logical mistakes. DeMelo-Martin shows exceptional skill in guiding the reader through complex terrain with balance and objectivity. This book holds rewards for scientists, philosophers, students, and citizens. It provides ideal stepping-off points for classroom discussions and public debates.

Margaret Urban Walker

In a culture in tension between biotechnological enthusiasms for a post-human future and fearful anti-evolutionist ideologies, de Melo-Martin carefully defends the importance of social and political policies to guide the bio-ethical co-construction of a better life for all. As she argues with edifying balance, only by taking biology seriously can we become serious in appreciating its true benefits and counter the illusory hopes and fears that are often projected upon it.

Carl Mitcham

Dr. de Melo-Martin offers an insightful and sensible account of the mistakes that philosophers, scientists, and policy makers commit when drawing conclusions about genetics.

Gonzalo Munevar

Full of common sense, De Melo-Martin's book shows why biological determinism need not undercut moral responsibility. With a rich background in both biology and philosophy, she does a good job of uncovering scientific and ethical flaws in some arguments about cloning and genetic technologies.

Dr. Kristin Shrader-Frechette

This book is an empirically rich, theoretically cogent, and sorely needed account of the interdependence of biology and ethics in matters that affect us all.

Mary Mahowald

Professor de Melo-Martin shows herself to be as knowledgeable as she says philosophers and others making ethical and political claims should be. Though many will disagree with her views, it is welcome to have a clearly stated and well argued position with which others can choose to disagree or not.

Paul Durbin

In a culture in tension between biotechnological enthusiasms for a post-human future and fearful anti-evolutionist ideologies, de Melo-Martin carefully defends the importance of social and political policies to guide the bio-ethical co-construction of a better life for all. As she argues with edifying balance, only by taking biology seriously can we become serious in appreciating its true benefits and counter the illusory hopes and fears that are often projected upon it.--Carl Mitcham, Professor of Liberal Arts and International Studies, Colorado School of Mines

Professor de Melo-Martin shows herself to be as knowledgeable as she says philosophers and others making ethical and political claims should be. Though many will disagree with her views, it is welcome to have a clearly stated and well argued position with which others can choose to disagree or not.--Paul Durbin, University of Delaware

This book is an empirically rich, theoretically cogent, and sorely needed account of the interdependence of biology and ethics in matters that affect us all.--Mary Mahowald, University of Chicago

From the Publisher

Full of common sense, De Melo-Martin's book shows why biological determinism need not undercut moral responsibility. With a rich background in both biology and philosophy, she does a good job of uncovering scientific and ethical flaws in some arguments about cloning and genetic technologies.

Kristin Shrader-Frechette