I liked this book, but I think I would have liked it more if I read it closer to when it came out. Its about 10 years old now, and sometimes while reading it felt dated, which took away from some of the arguments the author was making. However, I found many of his points still relevant, most especially the ethical issues surrounding cloning, and the consequences of manipulating genes before birth and while in the womb. I'm expecting my first child right now, and the thought of determining everything about my child's future by manipulating its genes is abhorrent to me, and yet...if I knew my child would have a debilitating genetic disorder that could be "cured" by gene manipulation, could I truly resist changing that aspect of my child? Food for thought. ( )

McKibben's call to arms against genetic engineering falls flat at times as his fear overcomes his facts in some places. All too often it reads simply as an anti-intellectual call to arms to rise up and rebel against science. Rather than recognizing the good potential of genetic engineering, McKibben prefers to through the baby out with the bathwater. He makes some good points, and there are certainly things in the book that need to be discussed, but he goes a bit too far into "Boys From Brazil" territory, without clearly understanding the science behind genetic engineering. ( )

A prescient, terrifying look at the not so distant future. Mr. McKibben's unease is apparent...and he's telling us WE should be wary too. Decisions affecting the future viability of the human species are being made today, RIGHT NOW, and the onus is on us to control our own fate by seizing the agenda from policy makers, technocrats and corporate profiteers and demanding to be heard.

It an oft-used term but appropriate in this instance: this is an important book. ( )