Jews and Genes

The Genetic Future in Contemporary Jewish Thought

Elliot N. Dorff, Laurie Zoloth

• Publisher: The Jewish Publication Society
• Year: 2015
• ISBN:
  9780827611924
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Jewish Studies
• Index: Social Sciences

Well aware of Jews having once been the victims of Nazi eugenics policies, many Jews today have an ambivalent attitude toward new genetics and are understandably wary of genetic forms of identity and intervention. At the same time, the Jewish tradition is strongly committed to medical research designed to prevent or cure diseases. Jews and Genes explores this tension against the backdrop of various important developments in genetics and bioethics—new advances in stem cell research; genetic mapping, identity, testing, and intervention; and the role of religion and ethics in shaping public policy.
Jews and Genes brings together leaders in their fields, from all walks of Judaism, to explore these most timely and intriguing topics—the intricacies of the genetic code and the wonders of life, along with cutting-edge science and the ethical issues it raises.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Donor Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Foreword by Mark S. Frankel
• Introduction by Elliot N. Dorff and Laurie Zoloth
• Abbreviations
• Part 1. Stem Cell Research
• 1. Summary of the Science of Stem Cell Research
• 2. Applying Jewish Law to Stem Cell Research
• 3. Divine Representations and the Value of Embryos
• 4. “Like Water”
• 5. Reasonable Magic
• Part 2. Genetic Mapping and Identity
• 6. Summary of the Science of Genetic Mapping and Identity
• 7. Folk Taxonomy, Prejudice, and the Human Genome
• 8. What Is a Jew?
• 9. Yearning for the Long-Lost Home
• Part 3. Genetic Testing
• 10. Summary of the Science of Genetic Testing
• 11. Genetic Testing in the Jewish Community
• 12. Jewish Genetic Decision Making and an Ethic of Care
• Part 4. Genetic Intervention
• 13. Summary of the Science of Genetic Intervention
• 14. Some Jewish Thoughts on Genetic Enhancement
• 15. Curing Disease and Enhancing Traits
• 16. Genetic Enhancement and the Image of God
• 17. “Blessed Is the One Who Is Good and Who Brings Forth Goodness”
• 18. Jewish Reflections on Genetic Enhancement
• 19. Mending the Code
• Part 5. The New Genetics and Public Policy
• 20. Religious Traditions in a Postreligious World
• 21. How the Unconscious Shapes Modern Genomic Science
• 22. To Fix the World
• Contributors
• List of Classical Sources
• General Index
• About Elliot N. Dorff
• About Laurie Zoloth