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Sex, Drugs and DNA: Science's Taboos Confronted

michael stebbins

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In a frank, edgy and entertaining style that pulls no punches this book reveals the truth about modern biology and debunks the commonest myths surrounding some of the most controversial topics in science and health. It says what most scientists and politicians are afraid to say about what research can and, perhaps more importantly, cannot deliver on topics ranging from sexuality, race and genetic modification to stem cells, cloning, modern medicine, fertility treatment, creationism and bioterrorism.

Having worked at the heart of government science, at the most prestigious science publishing company in the world, and in one of the world's leading biology institutions the author has a unique view of the politics, culture and reach of science. He illustrates how we are facing dangerous times where political agendas and public misunderstanding are hobbling truly novel work and hence calls for wide reaching changes in science education, funding, publishing and promulgation.

350 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20,2006

This edition

Format
350 pages, Hardcover
Published
April 4, 2006 by Macmillan
ISBN
9781403993427
ASIN
1403993424
Language
English

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michael stebbins

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Rating(4 / 5.0, 20 votes)
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UsagiOtakuChan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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This book was not a "scholarly tome" written in a language convoluted to those who don't know scientific jargon. It's a call for attention to the problems with science and science education in America today. Unfortunately, many of the people who should read this book never will. Great points and some unusual arguments. Good book.
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wxsb
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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like Penn & Teller's Bullshit, it is focused on the difference between what is acceptable and what is real
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krisakola
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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If you want to be educated on what's happening in America that directly affects you, TODAY - READ THIS.

Every word in this book is deeply intoxicating, mind blowing, and is something every American should read!

At a first glance I thought it would be daunting - however, it was the farthest thing from it - a very quick read!

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Mason216
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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Scientists have this tendency to build themselves up in castles of vocabulary and reason. Yet, the walls block both ways preventing the people from grasping the informations that for the most part is created explicitly for them. And at the same time the walls prevent scientists from defending themselves from attacks that are irrational and ideologically driven. This book comes down from that lofty fortress, rolls in the mud, and throw spunches back in a rhetorical style of the adversaries. We don't see verbose passages expertly crossreferenced or arguments confined explicitly to the logos. The author presents what it takes to develop a real drug and the depressing stories of the lives that end up trying to scratch into the academics. He goes into healthcare, science education, stem cells, cloning and the warped lies present in discussions about sex.

"Let me make one thing absolutely clear: this is not a scholarly tome. There are no references, interviews or balanced arguments. It is, in essence an experiment. you see the public often finds science books boring, and frankly so do I. They can be very pretentious. Science is anything but pretentious. It is really a humbling endeavor. The decision to write this book did not come out of any overwhelming need to document moments of discovery, or the history of science, or to make balanced scientific arguments. It came from my perception of a need to address the litany of of bullshit and lies spewed to the public . This sort of no-holds-barred writing is virtually never used in science, so i am going to take a lot of shit. So be it."

-Dr Michael Stebbins
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periwinnkle
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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The only chapter worth reading was chp. 1. The rest is arrogant leftist propaganda justified by scientific excuses.
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PlaguedDarkness
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 26,2025
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Great book about the U.S. governments policies on scientific topics. Dr. Stebbins makes it easy for everyday people like me to understand scientific topics (like stem cell research), what the facts are and what the potentials are.
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