Review of The New Eugenics

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Kristen Fraser
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Latest Review: The New Eugenics by Conrad B. Quintyn

Review of The New Eugenics

Post by Kristen Fraser »

[Following is a volunteer review of "The New Eugenics" by Conrad B. Quintyn.]
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4 out of 4 stars
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In this book, the author starts by defining the principle of the new eugenics. The new eugenics advocates the enhancement of human characteristics and capabilities, using genetic engineering and reproductive technology. Genetic engineering ranges from genetically modified food crops, to the production of insulin, to designer babies.  Many of these concepts are fairly new and many also have large ethical issues, keeping them out of the publics reach. 

The New Eugenics: Modifying Biological Life in the Twenty-First Century by Conrad B. Quintyn, Ph.D. is a detailed analysis of capabilities of science and genetic engineering, and the possible consequences of it. Conrad B. Quintyn explains that, with all biological enhancements of humans, comes the unknown.  These enhancements and modifications are fairly necessary, allowing scientists do reduce genetic disease in a population. They are joined by the possibility of unintended and unknown, long-term consequences.  .

I was particularly fascinated by this book. I have a biotechnology background which made it easier for me to understand what was being written about, and clearly the author is very well educated in this subject. I learned an exceptional amount from reading this book. The statements that are made are some possibilities that we don't think about, but we should.

Biotechnology is advancing at a past pace and regulations are being stretched. Conrad B. Quintyn is concerned about the impact on the future evolutionary change that could be brought about by this. For an example, we have seen that genetically modified crops are fairly safe to ingest.  The long term effects of these genetically modified crops is unknown.  Will it affect the diversity?  Will these genetically modified crops eventually interbreed with natural crops and form something that we don't want?  Could these crops, possibly, eventually edit our genes in the wrong way? The answer to these questions is that we don't know.

This book is exceptionally well edited. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.  There is absolutely nothing that I disliked about it.  It is extremely well written, interesting and thought provoking. I was kept on the edge of my seat wondering what information I would gain in the next chapter, and what ethical issues would be stated that I hadn't thought about. I absolutely cannot fault this book.

This book is ideally for those educated in something that pertains to medicine and/or biotechnology, however, everything is well explained and could be read by someone that is not well versed in the subject. 

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The New Eugenics
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