Exploding the Gene Myth: How Genetic Information is Produced and Manipulated by Scientists, Physicians, Employers, Insurance Companies, Educators, and Law Enforcers

Name: Exploding the Gene Myth: How Genetic Information is Produced and Manipulated by Scientists, Physicians, Employers, Insurance Companies, Educators, and Law Enforcers
Rating: 3.69 (29 reviews)
Author: Hubbard, Ruth; Wald, Elijah
ISBN: 9780807004180

Hubbard, Ruth; Wald, Elijah

29 ratings by Goodreads

Language: English

Published by Beacon Press, 1993

0807004189 / 9780807004180

Hardcover
New

See all details

Seller: BWS BKS, Ferndale, NY, U.S.A.BWS BKS

2-star seller

AbeBooks seller since June 4, 2026

View this seller's items

Hardcover

Condition: New

US$ 1,976.00

US$ 3.00 shipping

Ships within U.S.A.

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Free 30-day returns

Save for laterCreate a Want for similar items

Seller Inventory # 57143

Contact seller about this item

Report this item

Title: Exploding the Gene Myth: How Genetic Information is Produced and Manipulated by Scientists, Physicians, Employers, Insurance Companies, Educators, and Law Enforcers
Author: Hubbard, Ruth; Wald, Elijah
Publisher: Beacon Press
Publication year: 1993
Condition: New
Binding: Hardcover
Language: English
ISBN 10: 0807004189
ISBN 13: 9780807004180

Is human behavior genetic? Do we inherit our intelligence, our sexuality, our predispositions to illness or depression, or our particular talents through our genes? Newspaper headlines today tout genetic explanations of everything from cancer to alcoholism and criminality. But as Exploding the Gene Myth demonstrates, such explanations are nearly always exaggerated or unfounded, ignoring the complex interactions of genes with environment at every level. Like the eugenic theories of seventy-five years ago, the new genetic determinism serves a conservative social agenda, reflecting our society's eagerness to blame ill health and misfortune on individuals rather than on social and environmental conditions.
Exploding the Gene Myth explains in clear, accessible language how genes really work. Ruth Hubbard and Elijah Wald then evaluate the tremendous impact of genetic information on how we are treated by doctors and health insurance companies, by schools, by the criminal justice system, and by potential employers.
The authors are especially critical of the multi-billion-dollar Human Genome Initiative, the huge research project to map every gene on the DNA of a prototypical human being. Hubbard and Wald deflate the grandiose promises of therapeutic benefits that are supposed to emerge from the project. They point instead to the real threats to privacy and civil liberties already resulting from the unregulated increase in genetic predictions.
At a time when the biosciences are undergoing a revolution, the enthusiasm of scientists and the media about new genetic information and technologies needs to be tempered with realism. Hubbard and Wald argue that all citizens, not just scientists, should be able to participate in making the necessary decisions about how to regulate information, protect privacy, and avoid discrimination. Exploding the Gene Myth is a forceful plea for a society that would invest in safe, healthful living and working conditions for everyone rather than the search for ideal or improved genes.

"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Reviews

Harvard biologist Hubbard and freelance writer Wald are leading critics of "the myth of the all-powerful gene." In a hard-hitting critique of genetic determinism and biotechnology, they attack scientists who cite DNA sequences as the presumed basis for a genetic tendency to cancer, high blood pressure, alcoholism and criminal behavior. Such researchers are guilty of leaps of faith and logic, charge the authors. Arguing that genetic screening tests may increase discrimination against people with perceived shortcomings, Hubbard and Wald criticize the Human Genome Project, whose goal is to map the entire sequence of the three billion DNA and RNA subunits that make up our genes. Claims that this project will lead to cures for a wide range of diseases are unfounded, contend the authors. They demonstrate that DNA matching or "fingerprinting," touted by criminal prosecutors as a foolproof forensic tool, is actually fallible. Their expose of the fallacies and pitfalls of genetic testing in schools, the workplace, and by doctors and insurance companies makes this an important handbook.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Harvard biologist and feminist Hubbard and her son (as well as her Nobel laureate husband, George Wald) have long championed the antibiotechnology cause, raising the specter of genetic determinism, eugenics, and social control (read ``fascism'') that they see as imminent in genetics research. Their point of view is that of old-fashioned liberals, winning praise from the Richard Lewontins, Barry Commoners, Ralph Naders, and other defenders of the common man (and woman) and the natural environment against government bureaucrats, scientific reductionists, and others viewed as profiteers or manipulators and exploiters of humankind. In so doing, the authors serve a corrective function, offering the kind of countervailing sensibility that's so important in a democratic society. But, here, they go too far in their zeal, discounting the value of much genetics research and of the human genome project in particular. Certainly, we need safeguards regarding the collection and use of genetic data to prevent discrimination and abuses in education, employment, and insurance, as well as to prevent gene testing for such arbitrary purposes as sex selection and so on. But to deny the importance of genetic research in finding clues to development and aging, plus the causes and cures of disease, is to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Interestingly, in contrast to Andrew Kimbrell in The Human Body Shop (reviewed below), Hubbard and Wald disavow claims that genes have been (or will be) discovered for intelligence, homosexuality, alcoholism, etc.; meanwhile, Kimbrell acts as though such putative genes will determine how we select offspring in the future. The moral of the story is that the pendulum swings both ways, but the truth lies somewhere in the middle. (Seven illustrations) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.

BWS BKS

Ferndale, NY, U.S.A.

2-star seller

AbeBooks seller since June 4, 2026

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Item	5 to 14 business days	3 to 6 business days
First item	US$ 3.00	US$ 5.50

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Payment methods

Store description

Expect Exemplary Service With Our “Customer-First Philosophy” OUR STAFF IS CONTINUOUSLY GLOVED & MASKED WHEN PACKING YOUR BOOK ORDER. *** ALL OF OUR BOOKS ARE IN STOCK & AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT. *** SPECIALTY: ART BOOKS *** We offer one of the world’s largest selections of rare and in stock art and design books including artists and subjects from all periods and all regions comprising all related fields: Art, Architecture, Photography, Monographs, Limited Editions, Catalogues Raisonnés, art history survey texts and scarce auction and exhibition catalogues from galleries and museums and publishers worldwide. *** BOOKS FROM ALL FIELDS: We offer a broad range of publications including scholarly reference works and textbooks in all areas of medicine (including the history of medicine) ranging from psychiatry, genetics, neurology, dermatology, OBG, surgery, psychology; as well as publications in all areas of the sciences and humanities and the arts, such as: philosophy, history, economics, politics, physics, chemistry, computers, biology and medicine, along with music, literature, and painting. *** COLLECTIONS IN ALL AREAS OF THE ARTS: We welcome inquiries about our vast collections under Amazon headings including: paintings, watercolors,drawings, etchings, lithographs, autographs, letters, rare documents and artist albums. *** INQUIRIES WELCOME SHIPPING UPGRADE: DOMESTIC USA FREE COURIER SERVICE: FedEx / Courier Free Upgrade for customers in the US where applicable.*** EUROZONE & OTHER CUSTOMERS OUTSIDE THE US: Free or Discounted FedEx or USPS Priority Shipping Upgrade available for shipments to customers outside the US. Please inquire for details on this offer. Customer responible for all VAT…

Specialty

BOOKS FROM ALL FIELDS: We offer a broad range of publications including scholarly reference works

Seller's business information

Bernard W. Schlesinger Foundation, Incorporated

278 Route 52
Liberty, NY U.S.A. 12754

Contact sellerView this seller's itemsView seller's storefront

Terms of sale

Expect Exemplary Service With Our “Customer-First Philosophy”

ALL OF OUR BOOKS ARE IN STOCK & AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT. ***

SPECIALTY: ART BOOKS *** We offer one of the world’s largest selections of rare and in stock art and design books including artists and subjects from all periods and all regions comprising all related fields: Art, Architecture, Photography, Monographs, Limited Editions, Catalogues Raisonnés, art history survey texts and scarce auction and exhibition catalogues from galleries and museums and publishers worldwide. ***

With our exemplary service and “Customer First” Philosophy, we guarantee careful and personalized attention to every detail: from order fulfillment to extremely careful and protective packaging; we offer an upgrade to courier shipping and insurance with signed-for delivery (see details below). Our search capabilities are unrivaled permitting us to make the claim that we can provide virtually any publications our customers require.

BOOKS FROM ALL FIELDS: We offer a broad range of publications including scholarly reference works and textbooks in all areas of medicine (including the history of medicine) ranging from psychiatry, genetics, neurology, dermatology, OBG, surgery, psychology; as well as publications in all areas of the sciences and humanities and the arts, such as: philosophy, history, economics, politics, physics, chemistry, computers, biology and medicine, along with music, literature, and painting. ***

INQUIRIES WELCOME: We welcome inquiries: Simply send us an email message with your contact number (include hours of availability) and we will freely provide our expertise and exemplary service to assist you in every way possible with your Abebooks purchasing decision. Please request information about our unique “Customer-First” Philosophy ***

SHIPPING UPGRADE:

DOMESTIC USA FREE COURIER SERVICE: FedEx / Courier Free Upgrade for customers in the US where applicable.***

EUROZONE & OTHER CUSTOMERS OUTSIDE THE US: Free or Discounted FedEx or USPS Priority Shipping Upgrade available for shipments to customers outside the US. Please inquire for details on this offer. Customer responsible for all VAT.

Shipping terms