Ebook: The future of DNA: Proceedings of an international If gene conference on presuppositions in science and expectations in society held at the Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland, 2nd – 5th October 1996

`Particularly the first half of this book will be of interest to anyone interested in alternative ways to think about DNA and its future... I enjoyed reading this part of the book.'
Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, 3:1 (2000)

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The rapid progress in biological and biomedical sciences in the last twenty years has brought with it an extensive development of the methods of molecular genetics. This has had impacts on society in many fields. Practical applications in medicine, pharmacology, agriculture, food design and biotechnology are firmly established and will grow enormously in the years to come. The scientific views of DNA and genes which underpin these applications are challenging our fundamental concepts of life, nature, society and humanity. It is beyond doubt that these developments need to be evaluated and reflected upon, both from a scientific and philosophical point of view, as well as from a cultural and social perspective.
This book provides a wide range of discussions about the effects of DNA thinking in science and society, in biology and in relation to what it is to be human. Insights are provided into trans-disciplinary approaches and divergent views are compared. The reports on the plenary discussions and the many workshops show progress towards a power-free dialogue, i.e. an exchange of thoughts, free of economic and political pressure.
The viewpoints of a variety of specialists, including scientists (microbiologists, molecular geneticists and clinical researchers), clinicians, philosophers and members of NGOs are presented. The contents will be of particular interest to those involved in genetic engineering, from students to policy makers, who face the challenge of the new technology in their work and who are looking for a substantial expansion and complementation of their basis for judgement forming.

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The rapid progress in biological and biomedical sciences in the last twenty years has brought with it an extensive development of the methods of molecular genetics. This has had impacts on society in many fields. Practical applications in medicine, pharmacology, agriculture, food design and biotechnology are firmly established and will grow enormously in the years to come. The scientific views of DNA and genes which underpin these applications are challenging our fundamental concepts of life, nature, society and humanity. It is beyond doubt that these developments need to be evaluated and reflected upon, both from a scientific and philosophical point of view, as well as from a cultural and social perspective.
This book provides a wide range of discussions about the effects of DNA thinking in science and society, in biology and in relation to what it is to be human. Insights are provided into trans-disciplinary approaches and divergent views are compared. The reports on the plenary discussions and the many workshops show progress towards a power-free dialogue, i.e. an exchange of thoughts, free of economic and political pressure.
The viewpoints of a variety of specialists, including scientists (microbiologists, molecular geneticists and clinical researchers), clinicians, philosophers and members of NGOs are presented. The contents will be of particular interest to those involved in genetic engineering, from students to policy makers, who face the challenge of the new technology in their work and who are looking for a substantial expansion and complementation of their basis for judgement forming.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages 1-9
Introduction....Pages 11-13
The limits of culture in biotechnology....Pages 14-23
The cultural powers of the gene — identity, destiny and the social meaning of heredity....Pages 24-34
The archetypal gene — the open history of a successful concept....Pages 35-42
Back to the future — towards a spiritual attitude for managing DNA....Pages 43-54
DNA in the environment: ecological, and therefore societal, implications....Pages 55-77
DNA and the new organicism....Pages 78-93
DNA at the edge of contextual biology....Pages 94-103
The role of genetic disposition in human health and disease — bioethical aspects of DNA testing....Pages 104-113
Genomic instability — a story of repair, cancer and evolution with existential impact on the individual....Pages 114-128
Human biography and its genetic instrument....Pages 129-135
Practising a power free dialogue in the plenary sessions about modern biotechnology....Pages 136-145
Gene concepts in motion: from Mendel to molecules....Pages 146-154
DNA and food technology — between natural food and food design....Pages 155-161
DNA and education....Pages 162-168
The biotechnology dialogue in the Netherlands....Pages 169-174
The genetification of our culture....Pages 175-180
In Context — Genes, Organisms and Evolution Illustrated Through Algae and Buttercups....Pages 181-197
Transgenic plants — consequences and impacts for production and ecology....Pages 198-204
Intrinsic value of plants and animals: from philosophy to implementation....Pages 205-217
Does human retardation occur at the molecular level?....Pages 218-228
Genetic disabilities — predictive diagnosis, gene therapy and communal care....Pages 229-237
Heredity, gene therapy and religion....Pages 238-245
Genetic engineering and xenotransplantation....Pages 246-251
Embryo, heredity and DNA....Pages 252-262
Meeting the person behind the scientist involved in gene technology — summary of the round table discussions....Pages 263-273
Biotechnology as a socio-technical ensemble — closing remarks and reflection....Pages 274-284
Back Matter....Pages 284-285
....Pages 286-289