New Book From Mary Ann Liebert Explores Controversies In Science And Technology

Main Category: IT / Internet / E-mail
Also Included In: Stem Cell Research;  Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 20 Feb 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Controversies in Science and Technology, Volume 2: From Climate to Chromosomes presents an in-depth exploration of hot topics in modern science and technology that is accessible to a broad audience. The book takes a unique approach, using multiple experts of diverse and often clashing viewpoints to explore each of the volume's five topics - Information Technology, Stem Cell Research, Space Exploration, Global Warming, and Biology and Gender. This book fills an important gap in offerings on science and technology, providing scientists, social scientists, and the lay public with in-depth analysis of issues that confront every citizen of the earth. The provocative essays are engaging and well-written, enabling the reader to hear original voices in each debate. This new book was just published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

In a world that is increasingly dependent on technology, where the pace of science is constantly accelerating, and even experts are flummoxed by many of the decisions that confront us, this volume is welcome and needed. Its essays simultaneously educate and challenge the reader by providing the scientific, religious, public policy, and societal issues presented by the latest, groundbreaking technological advances. These essays provide sufficient background and diversity of opinion to enable a reader to form reasoned opinions and make informed decisions, thereby empowering the reader to join in the public debate.

The section on "Stem Cell Research," for example, presents the surprising biological insight that "embryonic" stem cells are not from embryos, but derive from a primitive clump of cells known as a blastocyst, inviting the reader to wonder whether the debate would have been different if scientists had announced that they had grown blastocyst cells in culture. The essays also offer the ethical perspectives on stem cell technology of the Catholic Church, Judaism, and Islam. "Information Technology" explores issues such as privacy and security and the "digital divide." In "Space Exploration," the authors present a historical overview of U.S. manned space exploration, a look toward the future, and the lessons learned from past space shuttle disasters. "Global Warming" focuses on the scientific data, social impact, and ongoing political debate, and "Biology and Gender" probes controversial topics such as gender bias, sexual selection, and gender expectations. The full table of contents and list of contributors is available online.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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The book is edited by Daniel Lee Kleinman, Karen A. Cloud-Hansen, Christina Matta, and Jo Handelsman of University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Handelsman is Editor-in-Chief of DNA and Cell Biology, also published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. and President of the Rosalind Franklin Society.

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Stem Cells and Development, Cloning and Stem Cells, and Astrobiology. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 60 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available online.

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 140 Huguenot St., New Rochelle, NY 10801-5215
http://www.liebertpub.com/

Source: Vicki Cohn
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News