Scan barcode
pandact's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
I'd pair this book with the 2011 film The End by Ted Evans, and it was difficult to think of a relevant work that wasn't already cited by Kirksey! It's like each chapter had a different subject with a new author to get interested in, and I've never seen a better synthesis of so many subjects. It was never quite my favorite perspective about disability, race, or sexuality, but they all intersect to make it my favorite book about bioengineering. Take your time and you'll have lots to think about after you finish reading 🧬
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Medical content, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Transphobia, Ableism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pregnancy, Genocide, and Animal death
I'm still confused by the fact that "differently abled" was used more often than "disabled" or "crip"bookish_by_elle's review against another edition
4.0
Eben Kirksey explores advances in and questions the principles which inform our interaction with genetic engineering in The Mutant Project. This book zeroes in on one of the most recently discovered genetic engineering technologies, CRISPR, which garnered a great deal of attention after it was revealed that twins had resulted from a pair of embryos that had been genetically modified using this technology. Kirksey provides context by surveying the history of genetic engineering and ditches scientific jargon to provide clear descriptions of the technology used without oversimplification. We are introduced to real people, with very palpable needs, desires and intentions - some good and others somewhat questionable. Kirksey explores the history of DNA and genetic engineering research in detail in this book and the way in which people have interacted with these advancements over the years. Biotechnology companies facilitate ground-breaking research and develop life-changing, and often life-saving, gene therapies but often sell them at such exorbitant prices that these treatments remain inaccessible for the majority of people who stand to benefit from them. Grinders believe that gene engineering tools should be available to the public and engage in (sometimes risky) genetic modification of their bodies within their community. Researchers are constantly encouraged to push the envelope while the lives of several in dire need of novel or existing gene therapies hang in the balance. Kirksey interrogates our relationship with genetic engineering, discussing limits, capabilities and accessibility of current and future technology. This account is thought-provoking, extremely informative and overall a well written book.
ramsfan1963's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
4.0
If you're interested in genetics, and want to know the latest advancement in the field of genetic engineering, this is a good book to read. The author covers the newest breakthroughs in the field, as of 2021 when the book was published, but also balances the amazing promise of genetic modification with the potential dangers that could come from a future where people can order babies like in a catalogue, getting the looks and behavior desired.
haddocks_eyes's review against another edition
3.0
I was hoping for more cultural anthropology, but this is a good exposé. Choice quote: "When this man noticed he was being filmed, his mouth went flat into a tight straight line, like the emoji officially named Neutral Face."
davidr's review against another edition
4.0
This book is about scientists and doctors who are genetically engineering humans. They are using CRISPR and other technologies to alter the DNA structure of embryos.
The book focuses on Chinese scientist Dr. Jiankui He, who genetically altered two twin embryos. The purpose of the alteration was to remove the possibility of contracting AIDS. He was encouraged by officials at his university and by governmental officials to pursue his research. It seems, though, that he tricked doctors into performing IVF treatments using modified embryos. However, a year after he announced his research at a conference, he was arrested in China for illegal medical practice, and committed to three years in jail.
There are still big technical problems that are very concerning with genetic modifications. There is always a possibility for off-target effects, like scrambling DNA in unintended locations. Also, gene therapy to perform personalized medicine is presently very labor intensive and costly. And, it only works in one person.
A big part of the book is the stress on social privilege. There is fear that only the elite will be able to afford enhancement technologies, and therefore use them to become more elite. Also, even in these very early stages of research, experimental treatments can incur high costs for transportation and hotels. This prevents low-income people from participating in the research. In the research experiments performed by Jiankui He, these costs were subsidized by the company that sponsored the study.
Genetic tests are being done in the US for many genetic conditions; the selection for gender is already legal. However, the medical risks of IVF do not outweigh the potential benefits of genetic enhancements. Instead of genetic editing, it would seem to be preferable to use genetic selection to filter out known serious genetic defects.
The author seems to go into diatribes against social inequality. Much of this has to do with the unequal availability of genetic treatments to low-income people. But this inequality is already affecting society in a big way--for example, IVF procedures are extremely expensive. We don't have to dig into genetic enhancements to find inequalities. At this point in time, the major issue seems to be the possibility that mistakes can cancel out any perceived improvements in an embryo's DNA. The author does describe how most genetic conditions are the product of multiple genetic defects. I would have liked to have read more about quantifying the likelihood that attempts at genetic enhancements will go awry, in unforeseen ways.
The book focuses on Chinese scientist Dr. Jiankui He, who genetically altered two twin embryos. The purpose of the alteration was to remove the possibility of contracting AIDS. He was encouraged by officials at his university and by governmental officials to pursue his research. It seems, though, that he tricked doctors into performing IVF treatments using modified embryos. However, a year after he announced his research at a conference, he was arrested in China for illegal medical practice, and committed to three years in jail.
There are still big technical problems that are very concerning with genetic modifications. There is always a possibility for off-target effects, like scrambling DNA in unintended locations. Also, gene therapy to perform personalized medicine is presently very labor intensive and costly. And, it only works in one person.
A big part of the book is the stress on social privilege. There is fear that only the elite will be able to afford enhancement technologies, and therefore use them to become more elite. Also, even in these very early stages of research, experimental treatments can incur high costs for transportation and hotels. This prevents low-income people from participating in the research. In the research experiments performed by Jiankui He, these costs were subsidized by the company that sponsored the study.
Genetic tests are being done in the US for many genetic conditions; the selection for gender is already legal. However, the medical risks of IVF do not outweigh the potential benefits of genetic enhancements. Instead of genetic editing, it would seem to be preferable to use genetic selection to filter out known serious genetic defects.
The author seems to go into diatribes against social inequality. Much of this has to do with the unequal availability of genetic treatments to low-income people. But this inequality is already affecting society in a big way--for example, IVF procedures are extremely expensive. We don't have to dig into genetic enhancements to find inequalities. At this point in time, the major issue seems to be the possibility that mistakes can cancel out any perceived improvements in an embryo's DNA. The author does describe how most genetic conditions are the product of multiple genetic defects. I would have liked to have read more about quantifying the likelihood that attempts at genetic enhancements will go awry, in unforeseen ways.