Overview

Human cloning raises the most profound questions about human nature, our faith in ourselves, and our ability to make decisions that could significantly alter the character of humanity. In this exciting and accessible book, Gregory Pence offers a candid and sometimes humorous look at the arguments for and against human cloning. Originating a human being by cloning, Pence boldly argues, should not strike fear in our hearts but should be examined as a reasonable reproductive option for couples. Pence considers how popular culture has influenced the way we think about cloning, and he presents a lucid and non-technical examination of the scientific research and relevant moral issues in the cloning debate. This book is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about the impact of technology on human life and for those with interests in medical ethics, sociology, and public policy.

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9780847687817

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Reviews

A clear-headed analysis of an emotionally charged topic.--David Resnik Bioethics

... a rattling good polemic against the rush to condemn human cloning. New Scientist Pence makes an important, largely rational and informative argument for a point of view that has not yet been heard in the uproar over human cloning. San Francisco Chronicle Thoughtfully written and persuasive... A fine, up-to-date resource for those who need more information about this subject. CHOICE, June 1998 Vol. 35, No.10 Occasionally, a new book evokes a sigh of relief. Pence ... wants to know how a consensus on human cloning can be said to have been reached when only one side of the argument about it has appeared. Booklist Regardless of whether one agrees with Pence's main argument, this is a very readable book. British Medical Journal With human cloning such a hot topic, there is considerable need for clear explanations of the unresolved and complex science and social and ethical issues. Bioethicist Pence tackles the subject head on, arguing for human cloning as a reproductive option. Pence's strengths include his take on the much-hyped issue of genetic (over)determinism, useful analogies to in-vitro fertilizations, and coherent reasons for preferring regulation over legislative bans...a timely reminder to examine and update library resources on cloning. Library Journal (Pence's) argumentative breadth is impressive and accessible... A lively philosphical imagination that pushes the parameters of the cloning debate in new directions. -- Courtney S. Campbell Medical Humanities, Fall 1998 Who's Afraid is the best of the several recent pro-reprotech books. It is a fine teaching book for a bioehtics course. The tendency is somewhat charming and will keep students awake... -- Glenn McGee, University of Pennsylvania Religious Studies Review, Vol. 24, N0. 4, October 1998 Pence's short, readable volume successfully establishes this agenda and proceeds a great distance in examining the assumption, positions, concerns that constitute and constrain the cloning debate. -- Lisa S. parker, PhD, University of Pittsburgh JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, Nov. 1998-Vol. 280, No. 20 The best-reasoned set of ethical arguments [about human cloning] yet published. The Gene Letter, August, 1998 ...written in a lively style... -- Jorge Garcia First Things Greg Pence is recognized as a leader in the art of making bioethics accessible without compromise of depth. His writings combine a journalistic lucidity, a strong philosophical knowledge and insights into the topics in his field, and a good teacher's ability to present material clearly. His latest book, Who's Afraid of Human Cloning? exemplifies this yet again... Whether one agrees or disagrees with Pence's conclusion ... the book should be read by those who teach about ethical dimensions of biomedical technology, particularly reproductive technology, since it catalogs and evaluates lucidly the spectrum of arguments most frequently heard in opposition to those technologies. -- Peter Horn, Capital University APA Newsletter on Teaching Philosophy A clear-headed analysis of an emotionally charged topic. This book shed more light on this topic than the report by the National Bioethics Advisory Commision or the thousands of hours of television interviews and debates. -- David Resnik Bioethics

... a rattling good polemic against the rush to condemn human cloning. New Scientist Pence makes an important, largely rational and informative argument for a point of view that has not yet been heard in the uproar over human cloning. San Francisco Chronicle Thoughtfully written and persuasive... A fine, up-to-date resource for those who need more information about this subject. CHOICE, June 1998 Vol. 35, No.10 Occasionally, a new book evokes a sigh of relief. Pence ... wants to know how a consensus on human cloning can be said to have been reached when only one side of the argument about it has appeared. Booklist Regardless of whether one agrees with Pence's main argument, this is a very readable book. British Medical Journal With human cloning such a hot topic, there is considerable need for clear explanations of the unresolved and complex science and social and ethical issues. Bioethicist Pence tackles the subject head on, arguing for human cloning as a reproductive option. Pence's strengths include his take on the much-hyped issue of genetic (over)determinism, useful analogies to in-vitro fertilizations, and coherent reasons for preferring regulation over legislative bans...a timely reminder to examine and update library resources on cloning. Library Journal (Pence's) argumentative breadth is impressive and accessible... A lively philosphical imagination that pushes the parameters of the cloning debate in new directions. -- Courtney S. Campbell Medical Humanities, Fall 1998 Who's Afraid is the best of the several recent pro-reprotech books. It is a fine teaching book for a bioehtics course. The tendency is somewhat charming and will keep students awake... -- Glenn McGee, University of Pennsylvania Religious Studies Review, Vol. 24, N0. 4, October 1998 Pence's short, readable volume successfully establishes this agenda and proceeds a great distance in examining the assumption, positions, concerns that constitute and constrain the cloning debate. -- Lisa S. parker, PhD, University of Pittsburgh JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, Nov. 1998-Vol. 280, No. 20 The best-reasoned set of ethical arguments [about human cloning] yet published. The Gene Letter, August, 1998 ...written in a lively style... -- Jorge Garcia First Things Greg Pence is recognized as a leader in the art of making bioethics accessible without compromise of depth. His writings combine a journalistic lucidity, a strong philosophical knowledge and insights into the topics in his field, and a good teacher's ability to present material clearly. His latest book, Who's Afraid of Human Cloning? exemplifies this yet again... Whether one agrees or disagrees with Pence's conclusion ... the book should be read by those who teach about ethical dimensions of biomedical technology, particularly reproductive technology, since it catalogs and evaluates lucidly the spectrum of arguments most frequently heard in opposition to those technologies. -- Peter Horn, Capital University Teaching Philosophy A clear-headed analysis of an emotionally charged topic. This book shed more light on this topic than the report by the National Bioethics Advisory Commision or the thousands of hours of television interviews and debates. -- David Resnik Bioethics

Author Information

Gregory E. Pence is professor of philosophy in the Schools of Medicine and Arts/Humanities at the University of Alabama, Birmingham where he has taught and written about bioethics for over twenty years. He is the author of Classic Cases in Medical Ethics, editor of Classic Works in Medical Ethics, and co-author of Seven Dilemmas in World Religions. He lives in Birmingham Alabama.

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