Review of The New Eugenics
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Dustin Stopher
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Review of The New Eugenics
[Following is a volunteer review of "The New Eugenics" by Conrad B. Quintyn.]
The New Eugenics, by Conrad B. Quintyn, is an educational dive into the world of current genetics research. Topics such as cloning, human-animal hybridization, and genetic modification through gene editing are covered at length with a robust body of recent academic literature, which showcase the great strides of progress in the field that have occurred as of late and will continue into the near future. The discussion of modern genetic advancement, however, is nestled in a philosophical context, as Quintyn frequently ponders the ethical limits of genetic research as well as the sociopolitical implications of its development. Over the course of the book, Quintyn effectively argues that the manipulation of the human genome is heading in the direction of and has already been indicative of the advent of a new eugenics movement, where society becomes predominantly focused on altering the gene pool to ensure healthier, stronger, smarter, and more generally preferred offspring for future generations much like the Nazi scientists of yesteryear, albeit under different circumstances and motivations.
The book does a phenomenal job of explaining very complicated scientific concepts and relating them to the everyday example. For instance, when discussing CRISPR in terms of how it could be used, Quintyn expertly speculates about its potential usage in collegiate and professional football as a means to “level the playing field” by endowing genetically ungifted players with the innate biological edge that many other players possess. This example illustrates how genetic technologies may affect everyday life in tangible ways, while also demonstrating how its usage may be problematic in its practical use, as this manifestation of the technology is akin to steroids that only the wealthy would likely have access to. Other examples such as this one abound in the book. It is fascinating how Quintyn portrays future geneticists’ work as life-changing and life-saving, but also as inherently unsafe and unpredictable as it is difficult to discern what it could do in the wrong hands or without proper regulation. The philosophical tug-of-war present in this dichotomy makes for a compelling read. The book is also very well edited, as I could not find a single spelling or grammatical mistake.
That being said, the book tends to be a more difficult read for the average person. Since the subject matter is heavily grounded in advanced scientific concepts, the vocabulary and study descriptions presented are very technical and dense. While Quintyn handily provides a glossary in the back of the book for the reader’s convenience, full understanding and flow of comprehension will be inevitably limited unless one is offhandedly familiar with terms like recombinant DNA or topics like Mendelian genetics. The writing also tends to get bogged down in specific case studies that expound upon the ideas of a given chapter, meaning that it can be easy to get lost in the details when trying to connect the dots between the usage of a particular science and its connection to modern society or the new eugenics movement.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this book heavily to those who are interested in modern genetics and how the use of these technologies may affect society in the future. Fans of films like Gattaca will see parallels between the actual science and science fiction, adding to the sense of caution with which we should approach further breaking developments. I would especially advise biology-oriented college students to read the book. With its message of potential dangers and in-depth breakdown of the pertinent genetics, this book is very reminiscent of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring in that it raises the alarm concerning budding sciences. As such, those with a future connected to the field would benefit from being given an idea of what to be on the lookout for in their careers as biologists, doctors, or geneticists.
Overall, I would give this book 4 out of 4 stars. Although it may be somewhat inaccessible for the layperson, for those equipped to grapple philosophically with the information discussed, the book is an exceptional piece of work. Thought-provoking, professionally edited, and maybe even concerning for what discoveries and implementations lie ahead, Quintyn’s The New Eugenics delivers a comprehensive guide to an oft-overlooked and misunderstood science that has a lot of lessons for both individuals and society at large.
******
The New Eugenics
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The New Eugenics, by Conrad B. Quintyn, is an educational dive into the world of current genetics research. Topics such as cloning, human-animal hybridization, and genetic modification through gene editing are covered at length with a robust body of recent academic literature, which showcase the great strides of progress in the field that have occurred as of late and will continue into the near future. The discussion of modern genetic advancement, however, is nestled in a philosophical context, as Quintyn frequently ponders the ethical limits of genetic research as well as the sociopolitical implications of its development. Over the course of the book, Quintyn effectively argues that the manipulation of the human genome is heading in the direction of and has already been indicative of the advent of a new eugenics movement, where society becomes predominantly focused on altering the gene pool to ensure healthier, stronger, smarter, and more generally preferred offspring for future generations much like the Nazi scientists of yesteryear, albeit under different circumstances and motivations.
The book does a phenomenal job of explaining very complicated scientific concepts and relating them to the everyday example. For instance, when discussing CRISPR in terms of how it could be used, Quintyn expertly speculates about its potential usage in collegiate and professional football as a means to “level the playing field” by endowing genetically ungifted players with the innate biological edge that many other players possess. This example illustrates how genetic technologies may affect everyday life in tangible ways, while also demonstrating how its usage may be problematic in its practical use, as this manifestation of the technology is akin to steroids that only the wealthy would likely have access to. Other examples such as this one abound in the book. It is fascinating how Quintyn portrays future geneticists’ work as life-changing and life-saving, but also as inherently unsafe and unpredictable as it is difficult to discern what it could do in the wrong hands or without proper regulation. The philosophical tug-of-war present in this dichotomy makes for a compelling read. The book is also very well edited, as I could not find a single spelling or grammatical mistake.
That being said, the book tends to be a more difficult read for the average person. Since the subject matter is heavily grounded in advanced scientific concepts, the vocabulary and study descriptions presented are very technical and dense. While Quintyn handily provides a glossary in the back of the book for the reader’s convenience, full understanding and flow of comprehension will be inevitably limited unless one is offhandedly familiar with terms like recombinant DNA or topics like Mendelian genetics. The writing also tends to get bogged down in specific case studies that expound upon the ideas of a given chapter, meaning that it can be easy to get lost in the details when trying to connect the dots between the usage of a particular science and its connection to modern society or the new eugenics movement.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this book heavily to those who are interested in modern genetics and how the use of these technologies may affect society in the future. Fans of films like Gattaca will see parallels between the actual science and science fiction, adding to the sense of caution with which we should approach further breaking developments. I would especially advise biology-oriented college students to read the book. With its message of potential dangers and in-depth breakdown of the pertinent genetics, this book is very reminiscent of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring in that it raises the alarm concerning budding sciences. As such, those with a future connected to the field would benefit from being given an idea of what to be on the lookout for in their careers as biologists, doctors, or geneticists.
Overall, I would give this book 4 out of 4 stars. Although it may be somewhat inaccessible for the layperson, for those equipped to grapple philosophically with the information discussed, the book is an exceptional piece of work. Thought-provoking, professionally edited, and maybe even concerning for what discoveries and implementations lie ahead, Quintyn’s The New Eugenics delivers a comprehensive guide to an oft-overlooked and misunderstood science that has a lot of lessons for both individuals and society at large.
******
The New Eugenics
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Reconfigurement by E. Alan Fleischauer
