|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Monday, February 14, 2000
|
|
|
|
Public debates about human heredity
|
|
|
|
The Meanings of the Gene is a compelling look at societal hopes and fears about genetics in the course of the 20th century.
Analyzing hundreds of stories from American magazines--and, later, television news--from the 1910s to the 1990s, Research Professor of Speech Communication Celeste Condit identifies three central and enduring public worries about genetics: that genes are deterministic arbiters of human fate; that genetics research can be used for discriminatory ends; and that advances in genetics encourage perfectionist thinking about children.
Her analysis reveals a persistent debate in the popular media between themes of genetic determinism--such as eugenics--and more egalitarian views that place genes within the complexity of biological and social life.
The Meanings of the Gene offers an insightful view of continuing efforts to grapple with biological natures and to define what it means, and will mean in the future, to be human.
Condit is the author of several books on public discourse and social change, including Decoding Abortion Rhetoric; Crafting Equality; America’s Anglo-American Word; and Evaluating Women’s Health.
|
|
|
UGA Today ] News Bureau ] Master Calendar ] Columns ] Georgia Magazine ]
UGA Home ] Admissions ] Directories ] Sports ] Alumni ] Weather ]
Search this site ] Search UGA sites ]
Developed by University Communications News Bureau at the University of Georgia.
Beth Roberts: Columns editor, Juliett Dinkins: Columns managing editor,
Janet Beckley: Columns art director.
This site works best with the latest version of
Netscape Navigator 4.0 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0.
|
|
|
