As Gods

A Moral History of the Genetic Age

By: Matthew Cobb

Narrated by: Joe Jameson

The thrilling and terrifying history of genetic engineering

In 2018, scientists manipulated the DNA of human babies for the first time. As biologist and historian Matthew Cobb shows in As Gods, this achievement was one many scientists have feared from the start of the genetic age. Four times in the last fifty years, geneticists, frightened by their own technology, have called a temporary halt to their experiments. They ought to be frightened: Now we have powers that can target the extinction of pests, change our own genes, or create dangerous new versions of diseases in an attempt to prevent future pandemics. Both awe-inspiring and chilling, As Gods traces the history of genetic engineering, showing that this revolutionary technology is far too important to be left to the scientists. They have the power to change life itself, but should we trust them to keep their ingenuity from producing a hellish reality?

comprehensive history of genetic engineering

I enjoyed the historical drama and personal interactions during the many defining moments of this history. The personal sides of the stories were as interesting as the science.

Should be mandatory reading for IBC members!

Wonderful book reviewing genetic potential. I used this book to prepare for my assignment on my University’s Institutional Biosafety Committee. 😀

GENETIC PROMISE AND RISK

In “The Idea of the Brain” Matthew Cobb identifies himself as a skeptic. His book “As Gods” is a skeptic’s view of cellular science and Recombinant DNA. Cobb infers science is as far away from understanding genetic function as it is about how the brain works.

The ramification of Cobb’s history is a warning and benediction for the science of genetics. Genetic research is a sword of Damocles hanging over human society. It can kill if not properly secured and understood as a threat to life as we know it. Removing the sword is not possible because the genie of Recombinant DNA is out. It cannot be put back into Pandora’s box. Hope for honest, fully understood, and explained science is all that is left to humanity.

Cobb’s perspective on the path for science, in this case genetic science, is skeptical but seems hopeful.