Golems Among Us
Imagine a world where the normal human life span is 150 years, where worn-out vital organs are routinely replaced by spares, where after death you will retain consciousness for eternity in cyberspace, where nanotechnology will enable you to transform a plastic bottle into a filet mignon for you to share with your android spouse. Scientists anticipate such a world within a century. Even now many signs of such biotech "progress" are with us. Accelerating developments in genomics, reproductive...
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Sherwin (Spertus Institute of Jewish studies, Chicago) grew up with stories of the golem, a Jewish android created by mystical means to protect the Jewish people in the Middle Ages. Notably, according to the tradition, the rabbi would know when it was time to destroy his creation. After a survey of developments in bioengineering, Sherwin contends that our ethical decisions in using these scientific advances will determine whether they turn out to be helpful like the golem or destructive like the Frankenstein monster. Annotation © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR NaturalGenesis.net An important, unique work.
Grandmother's tales31Golems 'R Us72The golem of Prague183Creating a golem274Golems among us355The past meets the present : the golem and the genome476Organic golems : Frankenfood and designer genes667Test-tube golems : stem cells and the cloned arranger948Mechanical golems : toward a postbiological human future?1239Corporate golems : the Supreme Court creates an artificial person15610The honey and the sting : the golem meets Frankenstein192A note on sources and a personal note213Index221
\ CHOICEThis well–researched book looks at issues with which humanity needs to come to terms, both morally and ethically.\ \ \ \ \ Foreword ReviewsSherwin does a valuable service for the reader in presenting these novel parallels between the golem and problems in biotechnology.\ \ \ Forward MagazineSherwin does a valuable service for the reader in presenting these novel parallels between the golem and problems in biotechnology.\ \ \ \ \ Jewish Book WorldEnchanting.... A captivating and significant book that is appropriate for the layperson as well as the scientist.\ \ \ \ \ Jewish CurrentsA fascinating example of applied Jewish philosophy.... We can find…new language for expressing our commtiment to social justice.\ \ \ \ \ Judaism.ComFascinating.\ \ \ \ \ LancetProvocative because it uses a legend about the creation of new beings as means for assessing all human power and potential.\ — Martha B. Holstein and Rabbi Peter S. Knobel\ \ \ \ \ Lerner News-StarTraces the golem story as a prelude to understanding the ways he finds it relevant to a number of modern issues.\ \ \ \ \ Naturalgenesis.NetAn important, unique work.\ \ \ \ \ The ReporterFascinating…thoughtful, absorbing treatment.... Anyone looking to make intelligent decisions about the future would do well to read his work.\ \ \ \ \ ChoiceThis well-researched book looks at issues with which humanity needs to come to terms, both morally and ethically.\ \ \ \ \ Forward MagazineSherwin does a valuable service for the reader in presenting these novel parallels between the golem and problems in biotechnology.\ \ \ \ \ Jewish Currents...A fascinating example of applied Jewish philosophy.... We can find...new language for expressing our commtiment to social justice.\ \ \ \ \ NaturalGenesis.netAn important, unique work.\ \ \ \ \ The Reporter...Fascinating...Thoughtful, Absorbing Treatment.... Anyone Looking To Make Intelligent Decisions About The Future Would Do Well To Read His Work.\ \
