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Freedom Book of the Month
Email List Archive
Free-Market.Net's Freedom Book of the Month
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Edited by Sunni Maravillosa. To join or leave this and other
lists, click to: http://www.free-market.net/features/lists/
* March, 2004: "Bioevolution: How Biotechnology is Changing Our
World," by Michael Fumento
* New and notable
* Special editor's note
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Freedom Book of the Month for March, 2004:
"Bioevolution: How Biotechnology is Changing Our World"
by Michael Fumento
Encounter 2004, hardcover, 510 pp.
ISBN: 1893554759
"Hold onto [sic] the bar in front of you and don't stand up. We're in
for one heck of a thrill ride" (p.329). That's how Michael Fumento
concludes his amazingly comprehensive book "Bioevolution: How
Biotechnology is Changing the World." Not a book for luddites or
precautionary principle advocates, "Bioevolution" is a fascinating
look into the far-reaching world of biotechnology.
Fumento begins with a straightforward, broad definition of
biotechnology -- that "genes are at the bottom of it" (p.10).
Throughout "Bioevolution", he continues to pierce technical
scientific jargon, offering research theories and technological
advances in terms that an intelligent lay person can easily
understand. He accomplishes that daunting task with an easy,
conversational tone that is often clever as well. Reading
"Bioevolution" thus is both a pleasurable and informative investment
of time.
While covering a range of medical technologies that would astonish
all but the most cynical of the anti-techies, Fumento doesn't shy
away from controversial subjects, nor the social implications of all
this technical wizardry. Fumento systematically addresses objections
to cloning, showing first how getting an exact duplicate of an
individual is impossible, then demolishing the argument that cloning
must be regulated to avoid using clones as organ-harvesting tools.
His exhortation to focus moral issues on "people and their behavior"
(p. 114) rather than on the technology, and his powerful concluding
chapter make it clear that Fumento understands well the limits of
biotechnology, and the important ethical issues that swirl around
much of it.
Fumento's focus is on the science, and the capabilities that
currently exist as well as those coming in the near future. Yet the
heavy hand of the regulatory state inevitably makes its presence
known from time to time, such as in an offhand comment about one
technology being so new the FDA didn't have any provisions for
testing it, or the tidbit that putting a pharmaceutical on the FDA's
so-called fast track speeds the testing process by only six to twelve
months. Fumento's call for the industry to regulate itself will
likely be welcomed by free-market advocates, yet scorned as naive
by those who believe that such policing will necessarily fail.
So, exactly how will this wild roller-coaster ride of bioevolution
play out in the next twenty years? Much will depend on regulatory
agencies, to be sure, but the scope of progress "Bioevolution"
presents across a host of scientific fields makes it clear that
better living through chemistry -- especially genetic research -- is
inevitable. While it isn't likely to convince technophobes,
"Bioevolution" is a must-read for anyone who wants to try to keep
pace with the coming changes, and could be a good outreach tool for
pro-market ideas for some. Neither a cheerleader nor a doomsayer,
Fumento offers a much-needed, thoughtful examination of a scientific
field that is all too often damaged by press-release based reporting
that seems equally often intended to scare as to impress.
Order "Bioevolution" from LFB:
http://www.free-market.net/rd/555295867.html, current price $20.25
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New and notable
o "National Identification Systems," by Carl Watner (Ed.)
A collection of essays outlining the history and use of NIDs, as well
as resistance to them. Since I'm a contributor to the book (others of
note include Rose Wilder Lane, Claire Wolfe, and Charlotte Twight) I
won't comment about how good it is. ;-)
Order "National Identification Systems" from Laissez Faire Books:
http://www.free-market.net/rd/313533119.html, current price $30.56
o "Forbidden Property," by Grant Sterling
Slim book that addresses why many individuals are not free, and will
not be free. Sterling's style is like an informal Rose Wilder Lane,
with just as much punch as that lady of liberty. Would make a great
graduation gift.
Order "Forbidden Property" from Amazon.com:
http://www.free-market.net/rd/333127464.html, current price $10.47
o "The Trouble with Islam," by Irshad Manji
A lesbian Muslim "refusenik" takes on the veil of Islam -- not just
women's clothing, but the secrecy and selective interpretation of the
Koran -- in a call for honesty and change among Muslims. Very
interesting, as much for her take on current issues as her historical
research.
Order "The Trouble with Islam" from Amazon.com:
http://www.free-market.net/rd/343569650.html, current price $16.07
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Special editor's note
Just in case you've not been by Laissez Faire Books lately, they're
currently offering an extra 15% off of *everything*. The prices
listed in this column reflect that extra discount, but to take
advantage of it, you need to buy your goodies by April 30. To browse
the Laissez Faire Books site, and help Free-Market.Net earn cash for
affiliate sales, please use this link:
http://www.free-market.net/rd/697393524.html
Thanks, and keep doing freedom,
Sunni Maravillosa
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