Times of Triumph, Times of Doubt: Science and the Battle for Public TrustThe intent and uses of science are a continuing preoccupation, especially in public debates on issues such as new pharmaceuticals, cloning, stem cells, genetically modified foods, and assisted reproduction. Times of Triumph, Times of Doubt,written by the eminent geneticist and historian Elof Carlson, explores the moral foundations of science and their role in these hot–button issues. Carlson chooses a variety of case histories and describes their scientific background and the part played by scientists in the application of their work, including their motivations and reactions to bad outcomes, both real and alleged. He examines why ethical lapses have occurred in these areas, why bad things happen when, for the most part, those who worked on the science had only good intentions in mind, and how such lapses can be prevented from occurring in the future. This exploration of ethics and science is important reading for those interested in issues of science and society, including journalists, theologians, legislators, lawyers, and scientists themselves. |
Contents
2 | |
5 | |
7 | |
11 | |
19 | |
21 | |
Ch4 The Banality of Evil | 39 |
Ch5 Heroes with Feet of Clay | 55 |
Ch10 Pesticides and the Environmental Movement | 117 |
Ch11 Genetically Modified GoodsAs Usual | 129 |
Part 6 | 139 |
Ch12 Medical Deception and Syphilis | 141 |
Ch13 Prenatal Diagnosis and an Alleged Eugenics through the Back Door | 155 |
Ch14 Cloning Stem Cells Hyperbole and Cant | 163 |
Ch15 Assisted Reproduction and the Argument of Playing God | 173 |
Part 7 | 185 |
Part 3 | 65 |
Ch6 Radiation in Peace and War | 67 |
Ch7 Herbicides in Peace and War | 83 |
Part 4 | 95 |
Ch8 ThalidomideCorporate Misconduct Masquerading as an Act of God | 97 |
Ch9 A Synthetic Estrogen with Harmful Outcomes | 109 |
Part 5 | 115 |
Ch16 Quantifying Evil or Bad Outcomes | 187 |
Ch17 Science History and Responsibility | 193 |
Ch18 How Science Changes Our Worldview for the Better | 205 |
Ch19 How Can Good Intentions Avoid Bad Outcomes? | 213 |
Index | 219 |
Back Cover | 228 |
Common terms and phrases
abortion acts American applied arguments atomic bad outcomes behavior believed birth bomb called cancer carried cause cells century chromosome claim cloning Cold companies concern considered countries critics damage Davenport death debate defects described difficult disease doses drug early effects eggs embryos especially ethics eugenics evidence evil experiments fertilization field foods genes genetic Germany harm herbicides human industry intentions interest involved issue killing known later Laughlin laws lead less lives major means medicine moral motivations movement mutations natural Nazi Notes objective organ patients person physicians plant pregnancy Press prevent problems produce radiation reason regulation religious reports reproduction response scientific scientists social society stem cells sterilization syphilis thalidomide tion tissue treated treatment twins University values views weapons women York