Challenging Nature: The Clash of Science and Spirituality at the New Frontiers of Life

Stem Cell Research, Genetically Modified Crops, Animals Developed With Personalized Human Organs For Transplantation, And Other Previously Inconceivable Biotech Applications Could Increase The Quality Of All Human Lives And Maximize The Health Of The Biosphere. But Ironically, As The Science Becomes More Precise And Transparent, It Also Becomes More Contentious. In Challenging Nature, Silver Argues That Although They Seem To Have Little In Common, Christian Fundamentalists Opposed To Embryo Research And New Age Organic Food Devotees Are Both Driven By A Deeply Rooted Fear That Biotechnology--in Some Guise--challenges The Sovereignty Of A Higher Or Deeper Transcendent Authority. In The Short Term, Silver Writes, Eastern Spiritual Traditions Will Give Asian Countries A Research Advantage. But Over The Millennia, Human Nature May Have The Potential To Remake Mother Nature In The Image Of An Idealized World.--publisher's Website. Examines The Scientific Principles And Research Behind The Biotechnology Field, Discussing The Clash Between Science And Spirituality And The Ramifications Of That Conflict In Terms Of Hindering Life-saving Scientific Innovations. Pt. I. Spirits -- 1. Soul And Spirit Stories -- 2. Science, Faith, And Religion -- 3. Spiritual Categories -- 4. A Scientific Critique Of The Soul -- 5. The Origin Of Spiritual Beliefs -- Pt. Ii. Human Beings -- 6. Not Quite Human, But Not Quite Not -- 7. The Embryonic Soul -- 8. The Politics Of Cloning -- 9. Counting Souls -- 10. Human-animal Combinations -- Pt. Iii. Mother Nature -- 11. Metaphor And Reality -- 12. Darwin's Unwanted Explanation -- 13. Organic, All-natural Food -- 14. All-natural Medicine -- Pt. Iv. Biotechnology And The Biosphere -- 15. In The Service Of Humankind -- 16. The Battle For Mother Nature's Genes -- 17. Paradise Lost And Gained -- Pt. V. The Final Chapter? -- 18. Culture, Religion, And Ethics -- 19. Technology -- 20. Magic And The Future Of The Human Soul. Lee M. Silver. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 407-425) And Index.