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Books
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Clones,
Genes and Immortality: Ethics and genetics by John Harris
(Oxford Paperbacks, 1998)
Looks at the ethical issues surrounding the revolution
in biology, which has provided scientists with an unprecedented
ability to control human evolution. From designer babies
to genetic screening by employers, his book provides a
stimulating introduction to the present concerns about
the rapid pace of developments in human biotechnology.
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The
Emperor's New Mind: Concerning computers, minds and the
laws of physics by Roger Penrose (Oxford Paperbacks, 1999)
Penrose is a well-respected and articulate member of the
scholarly community who argues that the essence of humanity
can never be replicated by a machine. In other words,
"artificial" and "intelligence" are
two words that will never properly belong side by side.
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The
Ethics of Food: A reader for the 21st Century edited by
Gregory E Pence (Rowman & Littlefield, 2002)
Will genetically modified food feed the poor or destroy
the environment? Is it a threat to our health? Is the
assumed healthiness of organic food a myth or a reality?
The answers to these and other questions are pursued.
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Genetic
Maps and Human Imaginations: The limits of science in
understanding who we are by Barbara Katz Rothman (WW Norton
& Co, 1999)
Examines the current trends and applications of genetics
research on race, illness and procreation and aims to
help us think about the place of genetic science in our
own lives, its role in our social world and how we choose
to think about human life itself.
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Mind
Children: Future of robot and human intelligence by Hans
Moravec (Harvard University Press, 1990)
Arguing that within the next fifty years machines will
equal humans not only in reasoning power but also in their
ability to perceive, interact with, and change their environment,
the author describes the tremendous technological advances
possible in the field of robotics.
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Science
at the Edge edited by John Brockman (Weidenfeld and Nicholson,
August 2004)
An introduction to the best scientific minds of the 21st
century, giving insight and debate into how best to take
humanity forward. Includes conversations with Martin Rees
on the future of the universe.
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The
Spike: How our lives are being transformed by rapidly
advancing technologies by Damien Broderick (Tor Books,
2002)
A look beyond the jargon for the next biggest, or indeed
smallest, innovation. Asks how we can hope to retain our
humanity once we have the technical ability to alter,
amend and specify the very building blocks of our own
species.
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Understanding
Nanotechnology edited by Sandy Fritz (Little, Brown, 2003)
A look into the multitude of areas that nanotechnology
may influence. From the ingestion of 'smart' molecules
into the human body to hunt and destroy cancer cells to
the revolution of all aspects of manufacturing, no area
of modern life will remain untouched.
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Go
Green and Help Save the Planet
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Go
M.A.D.! (Go Make A Difference 2): 500 Daily Ways to Save
the Planet edited by Jo Bourne and Emma Jones (Think Publishing,
2003)
If you care about the environment and aren't sure how
to make a difference, look no further. This guide includes
500 easy-to-do ideas to help you help change your life
and therefore help the planet. It covers information on
how we can all get involved in pushing for change at the
policy level.
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Green
Living in the Urban Jungle by Lucy Siegle (Green Books,
2001)
Embracing an eco-friendly lifestyle can be a daunting
prospect for the average urban dweller. This book explores
everything from severing the cord to your local supermarket
and looking at some other more exciting shopping options,
to thinking creatively about recycling and transport and
enjoying a green night out.
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You
Can Change the World: An action handbook for the 21st
century by Erwin Laszlo (Positive News, 2002)
With an introduction by Mikhail Gorbachev, this timely
book address every one of us and helps us to understand
the current situation of our planet - our shared situation
- and find the path we must take.
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Links
Alter
our DNA or Robots will take over warns Hawking
Stephen Hawking, the acclaimed scientist and writer, has recommended
that humans change their DNA through genetic modification to
keep ahead of advances in computer technology and stop intelligent
machines from 'taking over the world'.
Channel
4 Science – Immortality: Hype or Hope?
The claims for regenerative medicine are impressive. Lifespans
of 150 years, restoring movement to paralysed limbs and cures
for diseases like cancer. Can all this really be true?
Channel
4 Science - Nanotechnology: Hype, Hope or Hell?
In the last few years, nanotechnology has risen from relative
obscurity to become one of the most hyped and talked about areas
of science and, one of the most controversial. Is nanotechnology
really the Pandora's box that some media reports make it out
to be, or will it prove to be a useful science that improves
our quality of life?
The
Future and Fear of Nanotechnology
It's the stuff of science fiction: nanotechnology. Teeny-tiny
machines and robots made of individual atoms that can cruise
through the human body, fixing things at the atomic or molecular
level. This excellent article looks at the ways that nanotechnology
is currently in use.
Robots,net
The place to read the latest news on personal and industrial
robotics plus robot competitions and links to articles.
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