dear daisy,
the professor asked me to write a review about his book: his choice of word - oxymoronic to describe the title caught my eyes and attention. it is fair enough that we human do not have the genetic ability to regenerate and heal like doctor who or mr. wolverine. there are so much of science fiction in tissue engineering and organ regeneration. we hoped that someday that we not only can prolong lives, but to embrace immortality. this may sound far-fetch and not-in-our-lifetime goal but the idea and knowledge on biotechnology and sciences are becoming more exciting ever since intelligent drug delivery and regenerative medicine were first coined in the 1950s - at the time, the questions on human ethics and concern were raised in a famous conference which covered by the rolling stone magazine. last year, more than 100 scientists from all around the world gathered in so-called the secret meeting to discuss on human genetic editing and creation of life - from scratch. although moratarium had been set to restrict 'human genetic modification', the chinese are aggressively conducting research on human embryos and publicly declaring their efforts to the world, ignoring international concerns on the serious implications of this technology.
the idea that human engineering is instructive to morality seems to be deeply wired in our thinking. today we are facing an emergence of reality that the technology we hoped to bring cure and care to the humanity, can also bring destruction and spread of diseases. we clearly have no idea how genetic modification of animals like pig, can be humanized and serve as spare parts for human.
perhaps we need to be reminded of yann martel's writing on 'we ate the children last'.
it is clear that this day would come and it is impossible to control any new scientific process. we are entering a new era where there is no precedent and the civilization is now confronting an unknown consequences of biotechnology.
maybe it is the time for human to look for soul searching, as T.S. Eliot put it in his writing;
where is the wisdom that we have lost in knowledge,
where is the knowledge that we have lost in information.
in all of my years, one thing does not change,
it is the perpetual struggle of good and evil.
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(i will post my review after the prof. comment - )
ha.. i didn't realize that i quoted t.s. eliot the second time)
