Description:
This interdisciplinary volume reflects on the effects of recent discoveries in genetics on a broad range of scientific fields. It shows the way in which those discoveries influence genetics itself and many other fields, and explains the impact of genetics on contemporary culture. The volume contains the most recent views of the Nobel Laureate François Jacob on genetics and the nature of living things.
Review Quotes:
From the reviews:
"This ambitious book aims to survey the influence of genetics and molecular biology on contemporary thought quite generally. [...] Highlights of the first section include an excellent introduction to what genetics has taught us about human origins by Francisco Ayala and his group of Spanish collaborators. [...] The section devoted to philosophy of science is particularly strong."
Paul Griffiths, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia in Metascience
"Organized in three main sections: 'Genetics and the Life Sciences'; 'Genetics and the Philosophy of Science: The Reductionism Debate and Beyond'; and 'Genetics and the Ethical, Legal and Sociological Debate', these contributions are more informative about what other disciplines have to say about genetics ... . those who keep reading will be rewarded. When judged upon their merit as stand-alone pieces ... the chapters are highly stimulating." (Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, Vol. 11 (3), 2008)