Genes and Human Self-Knowledge: Historical and Philosophical Reflections on Modern Genetics

Focusing on issues of individual identity and collective human behavior, the 24 essays in this volume derive from a symposium addressing the philosophical and social implications of modern genetics, especially the Human Genome Project (HGP). The book's strength is that it explores the HGP in the context of several areas of human intellectual and social concern: philosophy, history, education, law, media. A shortcoming is the absence of any contemporary molecular geneticists, those engaged in the grunt work of gene sequencing, who might provide valuable information on technology costs and outcome probabilities. Some chapters are easy to read and thought-provoking: one by Joseph D. McInerney clearly addresses the question: What is the function of science? Other chapters suffer from academic jargon and esoteric arguments. One academic contributor, Alan I. Marcus, expresses the frustration: ``For late twentieth century academics, public policy conferences play a crucial role for our self-esteem . . . but basically nothing is decided at gatherings of academics.'' Maybe nothing is decided, but nonetheless many important issues have been discussed. (May)