The Second Tree: Stem Cells, Clones, Chimeras, and Quests for Immortality

by Elaine Dewar

Book Overview

In the half century since Watson and Crick's discovery of the double helix, genetic scientists have grafted onto the tree of knowledge a body of new science whose growth has slipped the bonds of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786714883
• ISBN13: 9780786714889
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A book for those enthralled with the revelations coming out of today's biological labs!!!

+++++ This fascinating book, by Canadian journalist Elaine Dewar, is her personal journey into the science of what she calls "revelationary biology," the bioethics of trying to come to grips with complex moral issues raised by this new biology, and the politics of working to regulate this new biology. Revelationary biology is cutting-edge biology. Examples of this biology are stem cell research, reproductive cloning technology, and a "cure" for human mortality. Where does the title of this book come from? From the "sad tale of Adam and Eve" that "deals with two trees not just one." They "eat the fruit of the first [tree], but it is the second tree that matters, the tree of life...[and today] biologists are definitely swarming all over this [second tree]." Throughout this book, the reader will come into contact with science, history and historical science, mini-biographies of key people, business and conflicts of interest, patents, the private versus the public spheres of society, bioethics, eugenics and, of course, politics. Dewar (who admits she's a non-scientific type) frequently injects herself into the main narrative giving her impressions, observations, thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Some readers may see this as a negative attribute of this book but I, however, see it as a positive. She also asks many good questions when interviewing the leading figures of revelationary biology from around the world. This book is a challenging but not an overwhelming read both technically and emotionally. Dewar explains both the scientific concepts well and the associated ethical and moral dilemmas encountered. Anyone who has the impression that modern science is a noble and dull undertaking that's untouched by human feelings and vices will be surprised. A note on the science in this book. It is not difficult to understand as Dewar defines any new terms as they are encountered. Remember, though, when reading this book, not to get hung up on the scientific and technical points that are made but to mainly consider the overall result. Thus, when we're told the steps done in fusing the embryos of a goat and sheep together, we get essentially a new animal, a "geep." With respect to the science presented, I think this book would have benefited from a glossary. Instead, the reader is expected to remember a scientific term as it is encountered and defined once in the main narrative. The author states in the acknowledgements the following: "Despite all their [that is, those she interviewed] efforts to set me on the path of truth, I have no doubt that many errors still remain. Responsibility for error is, of course, mine." Finally, because Dewar is Canadian she focuses naturally on Canadian politics near the end of her book. Her political discussion should be seen as a template for the political atmosphere in other countries (such as the United States) as their politicians try to regulate revelationary biology. In conclusion, the informa

A book for those enthralled by the revelations coming out of today's biological labs!!!

+++++ This fascinating book, by Canadian journalist Elaine Dewar, is her personal journey into the science of what she calls "revelationary biology," the bioethics of trying to come to grips with complex moral issues raised by this new biology, and the politics of working to regulate this new biology. Revelationary biology is cutting-edge biology. Examples of this biology are stem cell research, reproductive cloning technology and a "cure" for human mortality. Where does the title of this book come from? From the "sad tale of Adam and Eve" that "deals with two trees not just one." They "eat the fruit of the first [tree], but it is the second tree that matters, the tree of life...[and today] biologists are definitely swarming all over this [second tree]." Throughout this book, the reader will come into contact with science, history and historical science, mini-biographies of key people, business and conflicts of interest, patents, the private versus the public spheres of business, bioethics, eugenics and, of course, politics. The author (who admits she's a non-scientific type) frequently injects herself into the main narrative giving her impressions, observations, thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Some readers may see this as a negative attribute of this book but I, however, see it as a positive. She also asks many good questions when interviewing the leading figures of revelationary biology from around the world. This book is a challenging but not an overwhelming read both technically and emotionally. Dewar explains both the scientific concepts well and the associated ethical and moral dilemmas encountered. Anyone who has the impression that modern science is a noble and dull undertaking that's untouched by human feelings and vices will be surprised. A note on the science in this book. It is not difficult to understand as Dewar defines any new terms as they are encountered. Remember, though, when reading this book, not to get hung up on the scientific and technical points that are made but to mainly consider the overall result. Thus, when we're told the steps done in fusing the embryos of a goat and sheep together, we get essentially a new animal, a "geep." With respect to the science presented, I think this book would have benefited from a glossary. Instead, the reader is expected to remember a scientific term as it is encountered and defined once in the main narrative. The review below this one (dated July 23, 2005) claims that the author says something scientifically wrong and even quotes her. This is not quite true. The author actually is telling the reader what a Nobel Prize winner said in a speech to his colleagues. The actual sentence on page (452) reads as follows: "There are over one thousand different kinds of cells in the brain, he reminded them, and different kinds of cells appear in the kidneys." Dewar states in the acknowledgements the following: "Despite all their [that is, those she interviewed] efforts

The Business, Science, and Politics of the new Genomics

Elaine Dewar has written a personal tour through the various catchy projects in contemporary biology: stem cells, Human Genome Project, telomeres, cloning, immortality, immorality. And it is personal in the best sense. Like John McPhee's books, Dewars personal quest to make sense of it all is always in the foreground. A former business reporter, she knows her stock options and her IPO's, but she keeps that side of the science in perspective. This book is not a simple prognostication (this is our furture) nor is it a gee-whiz puff piece( look at the cool things we may be able to do) but it covers those topic in what seems to be to be a balanced way. Her prose is swift and lean:I was able to read the book in one sitting, and enjoyed it. Because of the personal nature of this book , we approach the issues as Dewar did, which means that two pages of discussion about business opportunities may be followed by a three page description of the mechanics of cloning a mouse followed by two pages on the increasingly cutthroat field, followed by a discussion on What It All Means. Readers willing to follow Dewar are in for a treat, since she writes well and thinks well, but some may have difficulties in switching between topics. This book is Not Cloning for Dummies, and those seeking an elementary primer on the science should read another book first. On the other hand, she always comes back to the science and the issues. Relatively little space is given over to history or anecdote, and the lives and loves of the great scientists occupy minimal space. In this she differs from McPhee: this is not Biography as Science. All in all recommended. And she liked Brenner, my favorite, always a good sign. I found the references to the Canadian situation informative, and I think many readers will agree.