Liberation Biology: The Scientific And Moral Case For The Biotech Revolution

by Ronald Bailey

The 21st century will undoubtedly witness unprecedented advances in understanding the mechanisms of the human body and in developing biotechnology. With the mapping of the human genome, the pace of discovery is now on the fast track. By the middle of the century we can expect that the rapid progress in biology and biotechnology will utterly transform human life. What was once the stuff of science fiction may now be within reach in the not-too-distant 20-to-40-year leaps in average life spans, enhanced human bodies, drugs and therapies to boost memory and speed up mental processing, and a genetic science that allows parents to ensure that their children will have stronger immune systems, more athletic bodies, and cleverer brains. Even the prospect of human immortality beckons.Such scenarios excite many people and frighten or appall many others. Already biotechnology opponents are organizing political movements aimed at restricting scientific research, banning the development and commercialization of various products and technologies, and limiting citizens' access to the fruits of the biotech revolution.In this forward-looking book Ronald Bailey, science writer for Reason magazine, argues that the coming biotechnology revolution, far from endangering human dignity, will liberate human beings to achieve their full potentials by enabling more of us to live flourishing lives free of disease, disability, and the threat of early death. Bailey covers the full range of the coming biotechnology breakthroughs, from stem-cell research to third-world farming, from brain-enhancing neuropharmaceuticals to designer babies. Against critics of these trends, who forecast the nightmare society of Huxley's Brave New World, Bailey persuasively shows in lucid and well-argued prose that the health, safety, and ethical concerns raised by worried citizens and policymakers are misplaced.Liberation Biology makes a positive, optimistic, and convincing case that the biotechnology revolution will improve our lives and the future of our children, while preserving and enhancing the natural environment.

Genres: Science, Philosophy, Biology, Nonfiction

332 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Noah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't find Bailey's case to be persuasive, but that may be because I didn't need to be persuaded. I happen to agree with him on most points, and this book certainly feels like preaching to the choir. He deals with a lot of common objections to different sorts of research and proposed medical treatments, but it's hard to focus on that when he's constantly talking up new outlandish potential breakthroughs. Don't get me wrong, I like to geek out on impractical technology as much as anyone, but years of reading lazy science magazine journalism have taught me to be skeptical. I can even pinpoint the exact moment when this book lost me: it was when Bailey was gushing about a scientist who expects to replace the entire human circulatory system with a system of lightweight conveyor belt nanobots.

[Nemalevich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite outdated and self-righteous transhumanism case. However, I share author's rage towards all kinds of backward bioconservatism.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

nonfiction,philosophy,science,transhumanism,enhancement