Current Controversies in the Biological Sciences by Karen F Greif

Current Controversies in the Biological Sciences by Karen F Greif

In recent years, advances in biological science and technology have outpaced policymakers' attempts to deal with them. Current Controversies in the Biological Sciences examines the ways in which the federal government uses scientific information in reaching policy decisions, providing case studies of the interactions between science and government on different biomedical, biological, and environmental issues. These case studies document a broad range of complex issues in science policy--from the Human Genome Project to tobacco regulation--and provide an accessible overview of both the science behind the issues and the policy-making process. The cases illustrate the different ways in which science and politics intersect in policy decisions, as well as the different forms policy itself may take--including not only regulatory action but the lack of regulation. Among the topics examined are public and private research funding, as seen in gene patenting; reluctance to regulate even when a product has been proven unhealthy, as in the case of tobacco; a comparison of U.S. and international policy responses to genetically modified organisms; and the competing interests at play in air pollution policy. Each chapter includes shorter side essays on related topics (for example, essays on issues raised by the SARS epidemic accompany the detailed case study of the public health response to the anthrax-laced mail received in the weeks after 9/11). This clear and readable introduction to controversial issues in the biological sciences will be a valuable resource for students of science policy and bioethics and for professionals in industry, government, and nongovernmental organizations who need background on emerging issues in the biological sciences.

Jon F. Merz grew up a reader and explorer in Boston, Massachusetts. After college and stint in the Air Force, Merz worked in private security, handling a wide array of assignments including executive protection and corporate investigations. In 1998, he left the corporate world behind and became a full-time writer. His works include the Jake Thunder and Lawson Vampire series, and Slavers of the Silk Road, latest entry in the Shadow Warrior saga.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780262572392
ISBN 10	0262572397
Title	Current Controversies in the Biological Sciences
Author	Karen F Greif
Series	Basic Bioethics
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	MIT Press Ltd
Year published	2007-02-23
Number of pages	400
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.