Human Dignity in the Biotech Century

by Colson, Charles W.

• ISBN13: 9780830827831
• ISBN10: 0830827838
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-07-20
• Publisher: Ivp Academic

Summary

What will be the greatest moral challenge facing our society throughout this century?Are wereadyto face it?Editors Charles W. Colson and Nigel M. de S. Cameron, along with a panel of expert contributors, make the case in this book that the greatest watershed debates of the twenty-first century concerning ethics and public policy will surround the issue of biotechnology. In twelve essays they address several of the legal and ethical challenges before us: embryo research, stem cell research, cloning, genetic engineering, gene therapy, pharmacogenomics, cybernetics, nanotechnology and, of course, abortion. Contributors includeWilliam L. Saunders, J. D., Family Research CouncilChristopher Hook, M.D., The Mayo ClinicHenk Jochemsen, Ph.D., Free University of AmsterdamDavid A. Prentice, Ph.D., Indiana State UniversityNathan A. Adams IV, Ph.D., J.D., Christian Legal SocietyDavid Stevens, M.D., Christian Medical AssociationPaige Comstock Cunningham, J. D., Americans United for LifeC. Ben Mitchell, Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity SchoolRichard Doerflinger, M.A., Secretariat for Pro-life, National Conference of Catholic BishopsWesley J. Smith, J.D., International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assistend SuicideLeaders in their fields, these contributors point out the crucial role Christians can and should play in the public square. The well-informed and forward-looking perspectives they present will help us prepare for the challenges ahead.

Table of Contents

PREFACE
CHARLES W. COLSON AND NIGEL M. DE S. CAMERON	7	(4)
INTRODUCTION
Can We Prevent the "Abolition of Man"?
C.S. Lewis's Challenge to the Twenty-first Century
CHARLES W. COLSON	11	(10)
1 CHRISTIAN VISION FOR THE BIOTECH CENTURY
Toward a Strategy
NIGEL M. DE S. CAMERON, PH.D	21	(19)
2 THE BIOTECH REVOLUTION
Major Issues in the Biosciences
DAVID A. PRENTICE, PH.D	40	(20)
3 THE NEW GENETICS AND THE DIGNITY OF HUMANKIND
C. BEN MITCHELL, PH.D	60	(15)
4 TECHNO SAPIENS
Nanotechnology, Cybernetics, Transhumanism and the Remaking of Humankind
C. CHRISTOPHER HOOK, M.D	75	(23)
5 PROMISE AND PERIL
Clinical Implications of the New Genetics
DAVID STEVENS, M.D	98	(17)
6 THE HUMAN EMBRYO IN DEBATE
WILLIAM L. SAUNDERS, J.D	115	(21)
7 LEARNING FROM OUR MISTAKES
The Pro-life Cause and the New Bioethics
PAIGE COMSTOCK CUNNINGHAM, J.D	136	(24)
8 AN UNNATURAL ASSAULT ON NATURAL LAW
Regulating Biotechnology Using a Just Research Theory
NATHAN A. ADAMS IV, PH.D., J.D	160	(21)
9 LESSONS FROM THE CLONING DEBATE
The Need for a Secular Approach
WESLEY J. SMITH, J.D.	181	(19)
10 BIOTECH AND PUBLIC POLICY
The European Debate
HENK JOCHEMSEN, PH.D	200	(21)
11 CONFRONTING TECHNOLOGY AT THE BEGINNING OF LIFE
A Morally Grounded Policy Agenda for the United States
RICHARD DOERFLINGER, M.A.	221
APPENDIX: THE SANCTITY OF LIFE IN A BRAVE NEW WORLD
A Manifesto on Biotechnology and Human Dignity	240	(5)
CONTRIBUTORS	245	(2)
INDEX	247