Intervention: Confronting the Real Risks of Genetic Engineering and Life on a Biotech Planet
March 11, 2010 by biotechbillboard.com
Product Description
Recipient of a Silver Medal for science writing in the 2007 Independent Publishers Book Awards, INTERVENTION challenges two of the most sacred tenets of modern society, innovation and technology, from the perspective of the unique risks they present. Using genetic engineering as its model, it paints a vivid picture of the scientific uncertainties that biotech risk evaluations dismiss or ignore, and lays bare the power and money conflicts between academia, industry and regulators that have sped these risky innovations to the market. ‘Intervention’ champions an alternative method for assessing the risks of technology, developed by the world’s top risk experts, that can eliminate such conflicts, help regain public trust in science and government, and drive research and development toward more useful, safer products.
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The contemplation of genetic engineering and many other modern technologies frightens many, and a study of this book reveals that the author is one of these people. But instead of just quaking with fear and living life shivering and shaking, the author presents a case, and a fairly good one, for dealing with the risks of genetic engineering, particularly in the use of transgenic strategies in human and animal foodstuffs. Much of the discussion in the book relies on anecdotal evidence, and sometimes the author makes unsubstantiated claims (such as the discussion on Long Term Capital Management) about the attitudes and intentions of those who are involved in genetic engineering, either in a commercial or a regulatory context, but as a whole the book is a good presentation of the risks involved in this technology. All interested parties should read it, particularly those (such as this reviewer) who are die-hard advocates of genetic engineering. Understanding the risks will assist in sharpening the tools of genetic engineering, making it more efficacious in terms of the health of all biological organisms.
The author’s attitude is refreshing in that she does not express the excess of veneration that is typically displayed towards experts and professional scientists. She is also quite rare among authors in this regard, and her cautionary advice regarding this type of veneration is welcomed. She is careful though to distinguish between the uncritical adulation sometimes paid towards scientists and the denial of the scientific method itself. The author is aware that the path to scientific truth is full of missteps and mistaken hypotheses, but as a tool science is the method to human health and sound medicine.
The author ends the book with brief descriptions of the two latest “threats” to biological stability and human health, namely nanotechnology and synthetic biology. She cites some of the research dollars that are apparently being poured into these technologies, particularly the former. It must be remembered that a commercial product that is advertised to be based on say nanotechnology or some other “exotic” technology may in reality be rather “plain vanilla.” Just because a product is marketed as having certain properties does not mean it really does. There are many, many examples of false advertising in the marketplace, and displaying a product as the “latest thing in nanotechnology” does not mean that it is. Individuals who feel threatened by nanotechnology may therefore be worrying about something that is actually quite benign and simple. But as this book demonstrates, worry and fear must be replaced by sound advice, and seeing the “big picture”, as the author puts it, will make all technologies much more effective in the long run.
Rating: 4 / 5
I am not familiar with genetics, genomics, post genomics and all this stuff, but I read Intervention with a lot of interest, as a guide into the unknown.
I would feel more confident if more scientists understood the problems it raises.
Caruso develops an aproach that, I am convinced, we should encourage. An atitude of openness and cautiousness in front of what’s changing and that we don’t know. Be there, participate with a critical mind might be the smartest way of entering the future as we make it happen. Be open to all stakeholders knowledge and understanding might be the safest way to move forward.
This is one of the most difficult thing I can think of. But Caruso is of considerable help with the processes she suggests we should adopt.
Rating: 4 / 5
Denise Caruso brilliantly articulates issues around genetic engineering with clarity and insight in Intervention. Everyone who cares about issues of the 21st Century, needs to read this book. – Tiffany Shlain
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought “Intervention” a couple of months ago and found it extremely enlightening, sobering, and supportive of very very careful and broadly inclusive development in transgenics. Hand delivered my copy to the top scientist at work and have e-mailed friends and associates to get “Intervention” and read. This is a highly important pro-science science book that asks right-questions and explains much that needs explaining and proposes a far safer course for continuing development of manipulated creations. More than five stars!
Rating: 5 / 5
An important and interesting book. Important because of the timing as millions of acres of new food crops could conceivably alter the genetic legacy of the biosphere. In considering conceivably irrevocable processes its best to think early and big about unknowns. Interesting because its style combines fascination for ideas with skepticism and sometimes-unmet expectations of intellectual rigor and integrity among the “players”. Out beyond the rhetoric of “right” versus “wrong”, there is cool deep truth to be seeking, honest work to do, and good clean scientific and intellectual fun to be had. This book’s clear eyes live there to inspire and apply far beyond the specific topic.
Rating: 5 / 5