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Life as We Made It
How 50,000 years of human innovation refined – and redefined – nature
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Life as We Made It
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This book may appeal to you if you are fascinated by the ways humans can shape the natural world through technology and biology. Delve into the ethical and scientific discussions surrounding genetic engineering, and explore how these advances impact both our future and the planet.
A leading biologist looks at how humans have meddled with evolution throughout history – and what we will do next
Where have the wild things gone? A leading biologist looks at how humans have meddled with evolution throughout history – and what we will do next
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Description
Life as We Made It by Beth Shapiro introduces us to a future of virus-free mosquitoes, resurrected dinosaurs, and designer humans—stunning possibilities afforded by the science of tomorrow. However, the notion that our manipulation of the natural world is a recent phenomenon is misleading. Humans have been intervening in nature since the last ice age. The difference now is our vastly improved competency in doing so.
Through two decades of extensive research, Beth Shapiro uncovers a long-standing history of human influence on evolution by means of hunting, domesticating, polluting, hybridising, conserving, and genetically modifying life on Earth. In contemplating the future, she discards the alarmist myths about the dangers of interference and examines the genuine risks and exceptional opportunities that new biotechnologies present.
These biotechnologies not only offer us the opportunity to enhance our own lives but also boost the possibility of continuing to thrive in a world rich in biological diversity.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Life as We Made It by Beth Shapiro is acclaimed for blending science, natural history, and personal experience, offering a fascinating exploration of genetic manipulation's history and its potential implications. Critics praise Shapiro's clear and engaging communication style, which makes complex scientific topics accessible and entertaining. The book is noted for providing a compelling vision of how humanity has shaped and can continue to influence the natural world, prompting readers to contemplate the ethical dimensions of genetic engineering.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781786079404
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 21 October 2021
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Oneworld Publications
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 30.0mm
Width: 153.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 352
About the Author
Beth Shapiro is Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz. She has appeared on the BBC, National Geographic and Discovery, and written for the Financial Times and Observer. She is the author of the award-winning book How to Clone a Mammoth. She lives in Santa Cruz, California.
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