Double-Edged Helix

Joseph S. Alper, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts. Catherine Ard, M.M.H.S., is a doctoral candidate in the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. Adrienne Asch, Ph.D., is the Henry Luce Professor in Biology, Ethics, and the Politics of Human Reproduction at Wellesley College. Jon Beckwith, Ph.D., is American Cancer Society Research Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Harvard Medical School. Peter Conrad, Ph.D., is the Harry Coplan Professor of Social Sciences at Brandeis University. Lisa N. Geller, Ph.D., J.D., is an associate at Fish and Richardson, P.C., in Boston.

• List of Contributors AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Perspectives on PerspectivesChapter 1. Genetic Complexity in Human Disease and Behavior Chapter 2. Geneticists in Society, Society in GeneticsChapter 3. Genetics and Behavior in the News: Dilemmas of a Rising ParadigmChapter 4. Advocacy Groups and the New Genetics Chapter 5. Invisible Women: Gender, Genetics, and ReproductionChapter 6. Prenatal Diagnosis and Selective Abortion: A Challenge to Practice and Policy Chapter 7. African American Perspectives on Genetic TestingChapter 8. Genetics, Race, and Ethnicity: Searching for DifferencesChapter 9. The Origins of Homosexuality: No Genetic Link to Social ChangeChapter 10. Diversity and Complexity in Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transsexual Responses to "Gay-Gene" DebatesChapter 11. The Commercialization of Genetic Technologies: Raising Public AwarenessChapter 12. Individual, Family, and Societal Dimensions of Genetic Discrimination: A Case Study Analysis Chapter 13. Current Developments in Genetic Discrimination Index

Bringing the concerns of different communities together in a single volume makes it possible to appreciate the mosaic of human issues more fully and forces us to anticipate the challenges that may arise-and that will require our attention-as the genetic revolution proceeds... A much needed antidote to the current genetic hoopla. -- Doris Teichler Zallen Journal of the American Medical Association A cautious look at the effects of genetic discoveries on society... The issues raised by this book are valid, and all scientists should be aware of them. I often found myself nodding in agreement. -- Jeffrey C. Long New England Journal of Medicine The authors present several thought-provoking issues in regard to prenatal genetic screening and selective abortion. It's a great contribution to the field. -- Fernando I. Rivera Contemporary Sociology This book superbly and successfully fills its purpose-to show the need for dialogue between researchers, health care professionals, communities, and individuals regarding various aspects of genetic technology. Choice 2003