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Genes, Cells and Brains: The Promethean Promises of the New Biology
Our fates lie in our genes and not in the stars, said James Watson, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA. But Watson could not have predicted the scale of the industry now dedicated to this new frontier. Since the launch of the multibillion-dollar Human Genome Project, the biosciences have promised miracle cures and radical new ways of understanding who we are. But where is the new world we were promised?
In Genes, Cells and Brains , feminist sociologist Hilary Rose and neuroscientist Steven Rose take on the bioscience industry and its claims. Examining the establishment of biobanks, the rivalries between public and private genesequencers, and the rise of stem cell research, they ask why the promised cornucopia of health benefits has failed to emerge and reveal the questionable enterprise that has grown out of bioethics. The human body is becoming a commodity, and the unfulfilled promises of the science behind this revolution suggest profound failings in genomics itself.
In Genes, Cells and Brains , feminist sociologist Hilary Rose and neuroscientist Steven Rose take on the bioscience industry and its claims. Examining the establishment of biobanks, the rivalries between public and private genesequencers, and the rise of stem cell research, they ask why the promised cornucopia of health benefits has failed to emerge and reveal the questionable enterprise that has grown out of bioethics. The human body is becoming a commodity, and the unfulfilled promises of the science behind this revolution suggest profound failings in genomics itself.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
16 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Hilary Rose
40 books12 followersHilary Ann Rose (born 1935) is a British sociologist. Rose has published extensively in the sociology of science from a feminist perspective and has held numerous appointments in the UK, the US, Australia, Austria, Norway, Finland and at the Swedish Collegium for the Advanced Study of the Social Science. She is visiting research professor of sociology at the London School of Economics and Professor Emerita of Social Policy at the University of Bradford. She was the Gresham Professor of Physic between 1999 and 2002. In 1997 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Uppsala University, Sweden for her contribution to the feminist sociology of science.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 11, 2013
A fascinating though often chilling trawl through the self-serving hubris and ethical problems which have dogged recent developments in genetics, stem-cell research and neuroscience. Co-written by a social scientist and a biologist, the book is well-informed about both the technical and the social/political aspects of the story. It reveals in disquieting detail how the modern merging of scientific research and entrepreneurship has made a few people astonishingly rich, produced little in the way of improved healthcare and consistently struggled to understand why "good science" (ie, a potential cash-cow) shouldn't ride roughshod over the ethical concerns of the people it is claiming to benefit - ie, you and me.
Amongst other things, the book provides an unashamedly left-wing perspective on the meteoric rise of the life sciences over the last 30 years. You might be surprised that such a perspective even exists if your main exposure to science is through pop-science books and bullish TV programs, where scientists are unfailingly presented as god-like geniuses handing down The Truth to us mere mortals. As such, it would make a great basis for a documentary series if only there was a TV company out there with the balls to make it.
Amongst other things, the book provides an unashamedly left-wing perspective on the meteoric rise of the life sciences over the last 30 years. You might be surprised that such a perspective even exists if your main exposure to science is through pop-science books and bullish TV programs, where scientists are unfailingly presented as god-like geniuses handing down The Truth to us mere mortals. As such, it would make a great basis for a documentary series if only there was a TV company out there with the balls to make it.
March 26, 2018
In their book Genes, Cells, and Brains: The Promethean Promises of the New Biology, Hilary and Steven Rose describe the way science has become the profiteers’ playground in the new millennium. Their description of the last few decades of scientific progress in genomics, stem-cell research, and neuroscience is a sobering account of greed, fraud, and political cynicism that will dismay anyone who still thinks science is a disinterested quest for truth.
Read more at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/drivento...
Read more at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/drivento...
November 6, 2013
This was an eye-opener. A useful antidote to over-optimism in the biosciences, especially regarding how the public and public funding agencies perceive it.
February 13, 2021
Great book about biology and philosophy mixed together! Interesting concepts like altruism and transhumanism. Read it to understand more about biology however found the title slightly misleading. A lot of hard terms to do with philosophy so would only recommend if the reader is interested in both biology and philosophy. Overall a good book however some parts were difficult to understand and worded poorly.
March 1, 2019
Challenging perceptions about modern science is not without the risk of being labelled as non-scientific, so it is wonderful to see a thoughtful, supported examination of the topic. The problem with the topic is it can be heavy reading, and becomes somewhat depressing. No reflection on the authors, just not exactly an "enjoyable" read.
January 28, 2023
4.5 stars If you're looking for a book on the science of genes, cells, and brains, this is not it. However, it is a very interesting history of the three in terms of economics, ethics, and politics. It can be dense in parts, and even a little dry, but it's well worth the read. And it is still entirely relevant today.
February 28, 2018
The book describes the blunderings of biotechnological progress. It is one face of human science and is presented in not very simple english.
April 8, 2019
Fun read, but not as much biology as philosophy.
June 29, 2016
Hilary and Steven Rose are an interesting combination of sociologist and neuroscientist who have been researching and writing for around 50 years. This book is a mixture of several strands in the field of science and society. The bioscience industry is the focus and the book provides the historical and scientific background to recent activities in that area, beginning with its prehistory in the area of evolution-related endeavour in what's known as eugenics, a popular field of research until the end of World War II and shortly after.
The authors skilfully link together the individuals and countries (including yours, mine and theirs) who wanted to develop some human beings and block the development of others; a quite respectable activity at the time and as is demonstrated here, not entirely extinguished. It's worthwhile looking at the presumptions behind neuroscientific and genetic research, and its implications, particularly with the medicalising and pathologising of particular conditions, or populations if it comes to that. Although not focused on, what's clear is that people engaged in this research don't really know much about people or personality and may not be interested at all.
Anyway, we get taken through the overt time of eugenics to the time of the Triple Helix and beyond. An advantage here is that the main protagonists are known to the authors due to their own long involvement in the field. This is quite interesting and enhances any previous knowledge or understanding in this area. Actually, I think that this kind of discourse is fundamental to understanding personality for anyone who deals with that topic or uses the data provided by these kinds of scientists.
The new biology seems essentially to be intertwined with venture capitalism and profit-making by people often using public funds and public databases and producing very little actual data, partly because of their misunderstanding of what might constitute a homogenous population (e.g. Icelanders) but also because of the refusal of many individuals to provide the required information.
The Roses describe these events in the context of eugenics-associated methods, the misuse of private data and their own acknowledged Marxist perspective. I had studied in the area, but was unaware of the contribution Marxist-oriented scholars had made to Science and Society studies over 80 years. If that might put you off reading this book, that would be a pity, as the book is not an apologia or polemic and the authors freely state their perspective an what that means in an objective way..
I enjoyed this book, particularly the early and middle parts. I got lost towards the end in the minutiae of start-up companies, various committees and associated frauds or manipulations. This may not have been the case were I British or European and so it would have easily received another star. But this text is one way of informing yourself about presumptions behind neuroscience and genetic research, particularly if you like to apply information that comes out of this area. It also gives you information and context regarding the dubious competence of governments and their advisers and anything that might be spruiked in elections and so forth.
The authors skilfully link together the individuals and countries (including yours, mine and theirs) who wanted to develop some human beings and block the development of others; a quite respectable activity at the time and as is demonstrated here, not entirely extinguished. It's worthwhile looking at the presumptions behind neuroscientific and genetic research, and its implications, particularly with the medicalising and pathologising of particular conditions, or populations if it comes to that. Although not focused on, what's clear is that people engaged in this research don't really know much about people or personality and may not be interested at all.
Anyway, we get taken through the overt time of eugenics to the time of the Triple Helix and beyond. An advantage here is that the main protagonists are known to the authors due to their own long involvement in the field. This is quite interesting and enhances any previous knowledge or understanding in this area. Actually, I think that this kind of discourse is fundamental to understanding personality for anyone who deals with that topic or uses the data provided by these kinds of scientists.
The new biology seems essentially to be intertwined with venture capitalism and profit-making by people often using public funds and public databases and producing very little actual data, partly because of their misunderstanding of what might constitute a homogenous population (e.g. Icelanders) but also because of the refusal of many individuals to provide the required information.
The Roses describe these events in the context of eugenics-associated methods, the misuse of private data and their own acknowledged Marxist perspective. I had studied in the area, but was unaware of the contribution Marxist-oriented scholars had made to Science and Society studies over 80 years. If that might put you off reading this book, that would be a pity, as the book is not an apologia or polemic and the authors freely state their perspective an what that means in an objective way..
I enjoyed this book, particularly the early and middle parts. I got lost towards the end in the minutiae of start-up companies, various committees and associated frauds or manipulations. This may not have been the case were I British or European and so it would have easily received another star. But this text is one way of informing yourself about presumptions behind neuroscience and genetic research, particularly if you like to apply information that comes out of this area. It also gives you information and context regarding the dubious competence of governments and their advisers and anything that might be spruiked in elections and so forth.
July 5, 2013
This book requires some base knowledge about biology and the eponymous 'Promethean promises', but on the whole is easy to read and engaging. The major themes of the book cover the commodification and neoliberalisation of academia in general and the life sciences specifically over the past decades, starting from around the 1980's and in full swing by the 90's. It brings together increasing trends in the life sciences of what the authors criticise as scientific determinism, reductionism, and essentialism--reducing complex biological processes that often may be intertwined with environmental and social factors to purely biological (whether genetic or neurological, etc.) explanations--and rampant state-encouraged neoliberalist 'Big Pharma(ceutical companies)' ever in search of more patents and profits to explain the often hyped-up claims of first the Human Genome Project, then human embryonic stem cells, and most recently neuroscience, why they didn't live up to expectations, and the ethical and social obstacles these projects have run into.
Some of the revelations offered in the book are rather chilling. Whilst the world knows of the 'research' on the mentally ill, the disabled, the Jews, etc. conducted by the Nazis during WWII--brought to international attention thanks to the Nuremberg Trials--this book puts the German eugenic dreams into context with the overall hype about eugenics in the West starting from the early 20th century. It also addresses the fact that many Allied countries--the USA in particular--conducted equally unethical biological 'research' on its citizens.
Being one of the 'ideologues of scientism' myself, it was enlightening to read such critique of science. It would seem my idealist view of the mission of science no longer squares with a commercialised--corrupted, I would say--scientific academia, where professors publish as many papers as start biotech companies and register patents in search of profit. What I would have wanted to read at the end, however, is how we are to turn back the tide against it all. Is public engagement the key, as the authors seem to suggest? Should we push for a return to the welfare state, and should all scientific research be publicly funded, with 'Big Pharma' brought down? What is good for science? What is good for the people? And finally, where will the fields of genomics, stem cells, and neuroscience lead us? Is there still room for the optimism--albeit tempered--that birthed these fields?
Some of the revelations offered in the book are rather chilling. Whilst the world knows of the 'research' on the mentally ill, the disabled, the Jews, etc. conducted by the Nazis during WWII--brought to international attention thanks to the Nuremberg Trials--this book puts the German eugenic dreams into context with the overall hype about eugenics in the West starting from the early 20th century. It also addresses the fact that many Allied countries--the USA in particular--conducted equally unethical biological 'research' on its citizens.
Being one of the 'ideologues of scientism' myself, it was enlightening to read such critique of science. It would seem my idealist view of the mission of science no longer squares with a commercialised--corrupted, I would say--scientific academia, where professors publish as many papers as start biotech companies and register patents in search of profit. What I would have wanted to read at the end, however, is how we are to turn back the tide against it all. Is public engagement the key, as the authors seem to suggest? Should we push for a return to the welfare state, and should all scientific research be publicly funded, with 'Big Pharma' brought down? What is good for science? What is good for the people? And finally, where will the fields of genomics, stem cells, and neuroscience lead us? Is there still room for the optimism--albeit tempered--that birthed these fields?
April 19, 2017
I had sensed that there was a great deal to know about how the relatively new science of genetics is being applied, marketed and spun. Interestingly the ' industry ' is moving in some ways slower that was first pronounced ( ie designer babies ), but in other ways faster ( genetically modified crops firmly established). Personalised medicine is also slowly being advanced.
The science, I find , incredibly interesting, and so rich with sociological ( is this the exact term?) elements , that it is extremely fortuitous that the authors are from those two backgrounds ( neuroscience and sociology). They investigate the various issues in very thorough detail.
One of the main issues is the establishment of biobanks, like in 'henrietta lacks' the companies harvesting all the DNA / blood samples, often weren't too interested in the rights of the donors and were more interested in the gains to be made. However, The gains were not made as easily as they hoped- great pharmaceutical breakthroughs, etc.
Today, there is a distinct distrust of hard science, and this is coupled with a trust in corporate 'progress'. So an analysis that addresses issues about human rights, privacy, disability rights, feminism etc. is really timely.
The case study in Iceland is really fascinating, and explained in great detail.
The science, I find , incredibly interesting, and so rich with sociological ( is this the exact term?) elements , that it is extremely fortuitous that the authors are from those two backgrounds ( neuroscience and sociology). They investigate the various issues in very thorough detail.
One of the main issues is the establishment of biobanks, like in 'henrietta lacks' the companies harvesting all the DNA / blood samples, often weren't too interested in the rights of the donors and were more interested in the gains to be made. However, The gains were not made as easily as they hoped- great pharmaceutical breakthroughs, etc.
Today, there is a distinct distrust of hard science, and this is coupled with a trust in corporate 'progress'. So an analysis that addresses issues about human rights, privacy, disability rights, feminism etc. is really timely.
The case study in Iceland is really fascinating, and explained in great detail.
September 17, 2015
With much detailed research to back up their case, Hillary and Steven Rose effectively catalog the unrealistic expectations, scientific hubris and ethical failings tied up with expensive enterprises such as the Human Genome Project, stem cell banks and much neuroscience research. These inflated enterprises, based as they are on scientifically reductive ideas are necessarily doomed to fail. The role played by government and corporate interests, well laid out here, should be of large concern to us all, and shows why the foundational scientific and philosophical ideas are so important to understand and articulate.
June 4, 2015
Interesting overview over past and current issues related to bioethics, proprietary rights and patents over genes, tissues and inventions, the human genome sequencing project, genetic determinism and eugenetics, human embryonic stem cells handling, organisms cloning and bio banks.
Good overview also of the most well known scandals or controversies.
It lacks though to depict or mention at least the positive aspects and invaluable advantages of the same fields... A not-expert could just get a negative very biased idea of the human sequencing projects, the value of bio-banking and research studies on stem cells....
Good overview also of the most well known scandals or controversies.
It lacks though to depict or mention at least the positive aspects and invaluable advantages of the same fields... A not-expert could just get a negative very biased idea of the human sequencing projects, the value of bio-banking and research studies on stem cells....
January 30, 2014
Il testo sembra valido, ma ha numerose pecche. Intanto la stucchevole posizione per la quale ogni tre quattro pagine compare la parola femminista come fosse la soluazione ai mali del pianeta terra. Mi sfugge poi il perché in un testo che parla dei problemi etici legati alla scienza proprio l'aborto (guarda un po') sia invece un argomento saltato a pié pari.
Questo giusto per citare i due problemi più grossi di un volume che, pur trattando argomenti importanti e di spessore, non riesce a mio avviso a trattare il tema in modo adeguato.
Questo giusto per citare i due problemi più grossi di un volume che, pur trattando argomenti importanti e di spessore, non riesce a mio avviso a trattare il tema in modo adeguato.
June 30, 2014
a generally excellent history and critique of modern biology and bioethics through left wing, marxist and feminist lenses, and a scathing, thoroughly-researched attack on the rise of neoliberal profitisation ideology within the field. replete with devastating takedowns of everyone from dawkins to blair, venter to thatcher, the media, Big Pharma and the coalition.
(if anything, my largest criticism is that this edition was riddled with incorrect apostrophe usage and occasional spelling mistakes, which somewhat deter form the excellent reasoning contained within)
(if anything, my largest criticism is that this edition was riddled with incorrect apostrophe usage and occasional spelling mistakes, which somewhat deter form the excellent reasoning contained within)
September 13, 2014
I am afraid that I did not read the back cover of this book. I saw Stephen Rose, saw the title and thought that is for me. I finished it and found it interesting but it was more to do with exposing the false promises that have been made by the various breakthroughs in Biology, for example the human genome project. I found the discussion of the setting up of the Biobank in Iceland fascinating and the discussion of the development of bioethics from the Nuremburg trials onwards but I do prefer reading about the Biology really.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews