Adam, Eve and the Genome: The Human Genome Project and Theology (Google eBook)

Susan B. Thistlethwaite

Fortress Press, 2003 - Religion - 200 pages

The project to map the human genetic codes has been widely hailed as a monumental achievement with vast medical promise. Yet the project is also fraught with ambiguities and, Susan Thistlethwaite claims, great potential dangers to society. This important book combines a basic primer on genetic research with ethical reflection by an interdisciplinary team on key questions and a deeper look, in light of such research, at what it means to be human. Part 1 of the book places genetic research in historical perspective, including the historical prickliness between science and religion. It shows how we have gotten from Gregor Mendel's experiments with peas to today's Human Genome Project. Part 2 explores ethical issues posed by genetic testing, screening, and counseling; gene therapy; stem-cell research; dangers of misuse through genetic identification; and engineering of particular populations (violent people, ethnic groups, gays and lesbians). Part 3 explores the possibilities of reconstruing human identity for the coming "biological age." Contributors include Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, Laurel Schneider, Lainie Ross, Theodore W. Jennings Jr., Ken Stone, and Lee Butler.

Contents

• VII: 17
• VIII: 18
• IX: 25
• X: 28
• XI: 31
• XII: 33
• XIII: 36
• XIV: 44
• XV: 47
• XVI: 52
• XVIII: 53
• XIX: 54
• XX: 61
• XXI: 63
• XXII: 69
• XXIII: 70
• XXIV: 77
• XXV: 83
• XXVI: 91
• XXVII: 93
• XXVIII: 94
• XXIX: 98
• XXX: 102
• XXXI: 109
• XXXII: 110
• XXXIII: 112
• XXXV: 115
• XXXVI: 117
• XXXVII: 121
• XXXVIII: 127
• XXXIX: 129
• XL: 132
• XLI: 136
• XLII: 139
• XLIII: 141
• XLIV: 143
• XLV: 145
• XLVII: 148
• XLVIII: 149
• XLIX: 151
• L: 152
• LI: 153
• LII: 155
• LIII: 157
• LIV: 161
• LV: 163
• LVI: 165
• LVII: 167
• LVIII: 171
• LIX: 173
• LX: 175
• LXI: 188
• LXII: 194

About the author

Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite is a Professor of Theology at the Chicago Theological Seminary, and formerly served as its president from 1998 to 2008. An ordained minister of the United Church of Christ since 1974, she's authored numerous books, and has worked on two different translations of the Bible. She also writes a weekly column for the Washington Post (On Faith) and is a frequent media commentator on religion and public events. Her previous works include Interfaith Just Peacemaking: Alternatives to War, edited with Glen Stassen (USIP, 2008); Adam, Eve and the Genome: Theology in Dialogue with the Human Genome Project (Fortress Press, 2003); Casting Stones: Prostitution and Liberation in Asia and the United States with Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock (Fortress, 1996); and The New Testament and Psalms: An Inclusive Translation (Oxford University Press, 1995). Dr. Thistlethwaite currently serves on the boards of the Center for American Progress, Faith in Public Life, the Interfaith Youth Core, and the Medill Center for Religion in the News Media. She has a Ph.D. from Duke University, a Masters of Divinity (Summa Cum Laude) from Duke Divinity School and a B.A. from Smith College. She lives and works in Chicago, IL

Bibliographic information

• Title: Adam, Eve and the Genome: The Human Genome Project and Theology; Theology and the Sciences
• Editor: Susan B. Thistlethwaite
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Fortress Press, 2003
• ISBN: 1451418639, 9781451418637
• Length: 200 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Christian Theology / Ethics; Religion / Religion & Science; Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects