The Journal of Heredity 2002:93(6)
© 2002 The American Genetic Association 93:461-462
Book Review |
Reshaping Life: Key Issues in Genetic Engineering, 3rd edition
Department of Pathology UCSD Medical Center San Diego, CA 92103
By G. J. V. Nossal and R. L. Coppel. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 2002.
This is a remarkable book, and it comes at an opportune time when heated discussions concerning cloning, genetically manipulated organisms (GMOs), and vaccine production are under way. It might be questioned why this book should be reviewed in the Journal of Heredity, but there are good reasons. While many scientists will be familiar with one segment or another of the numerous topics discussed, none is likely to have the breadth presented by these two eminent writers. Moreover, the book is addressed primarily to the educated public, to lawmakers, and to those who participate in public discussions of these complex topics. The scientist is well advised to recommend this comprehensive yet easily digested book to friends and persons who wish to have a comprehensive overview of the broad topics of genetic engineering.
Professors Nossal and Coppel present an admirably balanced review of the current state of the many aspects heatedly debated in the press and in public discussions, and they are not afraid to present their own views of the potential harm or benefit that might derive from applying science to the possible future benefit of mankind.
After first laying the groundwork of the organization of life (e.g., cells, molecules, DNA, etc.), they proceed to explain in precise detail the mechanism of gene replacement, aided by simple but effective diagrams and by appending a detailed glossary. Next, the genome project and the general complexity of genetic organization are detailed. Here I encountered the only hurdle in reading this book. It was impossible for me to log on to the Web site that might have given further insight, as directed in this and later chapters, in the manner provided by the authors. This is a problem that, no doubt, can easily be fixed. The fourth chapter begins to address the interface of biotechnology with bioinformatics, an issue that will become more definitively traced in subsequent chapters. Thus microarrays are discussed; knockout mice and the possibility of creating new life forms begin to be addressed, again to be more fully discussed in later chapters.
Subsequent discussions concern the manufacture of proteins in vitro for therapeutic needs as well as the means by which the DNA technology now aids in diagnostic techniques, such as prenatal diagnosis. The authors fully present the potential problems of insurability and the vast societal implications that are presented by our ability to possess detailed genetic knowledge, prenatally or societally. Particularly well discussed is the evolving method of linkage analysis and its future implication for the identification of heritable traits. Imprinting, "underground" viruses, and of course Jurassic Park all make good reading and are useful for the uninitiated to obtain a balanced understanding of possible future developments. But perhaps most relevant in the current climate is the chapter on cloning and introduction of genes, stem cell therapy, and the like.
Not unexpectedly, the book presents an admirable discussion of the numerous new methods of vaccine development. Not only is Nossal chairman of the World Health Organization's vaccine advisory board, but also he serves on Bill Gates's advisory council. The immense contributions to international vaccination programs made by the Gates Foundation thus come to be presented in that most readable chapter. But from a public discussion point of view, perhaps chapter 9 on GMOs will be the most widely appreciated by the world community of decision makers. It presents the bare facts—especially of genetically altered plants, the enormous stakes industry has in this technology, the public fear, and the demonstrations against GMOs—all in a balanced view. But it also provides a decisive position of the authors' own take on this issue. It is a topic that perhaps at this time has the widest impact, both on future population expansion and on the health of our globe. Nossal and Coppel review the sharply diverse views of the European and American public of the acceptability of this new technology in a completely unbiased manner. The authors are basically favorably disposed to the introduction of GMOs, but warn that much future research is needed to ensure safety. They also caution that the conceived rush to introduce new plants for whatever purpose should be mediated and undergo more public discussion. They provide data on the failures as well as the successes of, for instance, the production of "golden rice" with beta carotene gene inclusion.
The final chapters on the DNA industry, scientists playing God, and public policy are more philosophical and well worth anyone's reading. Nossal and Coppel conclude with a brief personal view of "Distant Horizons," in which their personal anticipation of the future benefits from biotechnology is lucidly highlighted.
I found this to be a welcome brief book on the numerous subjects that are under daily discussion in our scientific laboratories and that are the topics of the many public debates that we all endure for better or worse. I recommend it highly to all scientists and community leaders as a complete, up-to-date review.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||