Fear, Wonder, and Science in the New Age of Reproductive Biotechnology

by Scott F. Gilbert, Clara Pinto Correia

How does one make decisions today about in vitro fertilization, abortion, egg freezing, surrogacy, and other matters of reproduction? This book provides the intellectual and emotional intelligence to help individuals make informed choices amid misinformation and competing claims. Scott Gilbert and Clara Pinto-Correia speak to the couple trying to become pregnant, the woman contemplating an abortion, and the student searching for sound information about human sex and reproduction. Their book is an enlightening read for men as well as for women, describing in clear terms how babies come into existence through both natural and assisted reproductive pathways. They update “the talk” for the twenty-first the birds, the bees, and the Petri dishes.

Fear, Wonder, and Science in the New Age of Reproductive Biotechnology first covers the most recent and well-grounded scientific conclusions about fertilization and early human embryology. It then discusses the reasons why some of the major forms of assisted reproductive technologies were invented, how they are used, and what they can and cannot accomplish. Most important, the authors explore the emotional side of using these technologies, focusing on those who have emptied their emotions and bank accounts in a valiant effort to conceive a child. This work of science and human biology is informed by a moral concern for our common humanity.

Genres: Science

296 pages, Hardcover

Published August 8, 2017

About the author

Scott Frederick Gilbert is an American evolutionary developmental biologist and historian of biology. Scott Gilbert is the Howard A. Schneiderman Professor of Biology at Swarthmore College and a Finland Distinguished Professor at the University of Helsinki.

Reviews

[abby leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

i firmly believe that anyone interested in having an informed opinion on reproductive technology & laws surrounding it read this book. incredibly generous to all points of view and as unbiased as they come

“A pious man of my time would say that an angel of God had to enter the womb of a pregnant woman to mold the organs of the fetus. ... This would constitute a miracle. But how much more of a miracle would it be if God had so empowered matter to be able to create the organs of a fetus without having to employ an angel for each pregnancy?”


“Yes, both can be right, as long as science does not profess to have moral answers and religion does not profess to hold scientific truths
— scientific knowledge and religious wisdom, the two grandchildren of wonder, must interact.
Without wonder, science will perish. It will become strictly a means by which some people acquire wealth and power. Without wonder, religion will perish, too. It will become merely a means to keep a subdued population content while some small number achieve wealth and power. If wonder is the source of both science and religion, it is in their mutual interest to form alliances to protect, preserve, and expand sources of wonder. And the major source of wonder remains nature.”

[Clarissa Utley · Rating 4 out of 5]

V interesting and some shocking stuff, fun to revisit biology degree, also introduced interesting ways to think about biotech for infertility and the impact on society. There was some major editing problems in the epilogues, a sentence ended and a new one began about something else as if a whole part of a paragraph got deleted accidentally which was kind of baffling, but would still recommend the book

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si eres un apasionado de la ciencia, este libro es una maravilla que no puedes dejar pasar. Con una prosa accesible y envolvente, ofrece detalles sobre la reproducción y el desarrollo, combinando la teoría con experiencias y opiniones profundamente personales. Sin duda, ha sido una de mis mejores lecturas del año, y no puedo recomendarlo lo suficiente a quienes les interesa la biologia reproductiva.

Clase: BIO425 Biology Seminar: Reproductive Biothechnology - Fact and Fiction (Fall 2024)

[Juniper The Frog · Rating 5 out of 5]

From reproductive technology to gene therapy to the idea of "personhood" in different communities, this book is extremely educational. Embryology and developmental biology are so fascinating to me. This book gave me all sorts of ammunition to use on my anti-choice family members.