Book Reviews

Rita Hoots Department Editor

CLONING own quote: "Yet if there is one lesson describe the experiments that Wilmut of cloning it is that there is no uni- and Keith Campbell performed. Dis- Clone: The Road to Dolly, and the formly accepted way to think about cussions from previous chapters are Path Ahead. By Gina Kolata. 1998. the ethical questions that it elicits, and interwovento tell a wonderful story of William Morrow and Company, Inc. no agreement, even among the most how the science behind cloning cows, (1350 Avenue of the Americas, New thoughtful and well-informed com- sheep and pigs by subdividing the York, NY 10019). 276 pp. Hardback mentators, about what is right and cells of early embryos,and the motiva- $23.00. what is wrong." tions of the scientists who performed Seven chaptersof the book are dedi- the work, ultimately led Ian Wilmut 6_ In Clone, Gina Kolata, science cated to a survey of pioneering scien- and Keith Campbell to clone Dolly. Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/61/7/550/49212/4450763.pdf by guest on 27 September 2021 writer for TheNew YorkTimes, tists and their significant discoveries The reader is treated to the human presents an engaging 10 chapter over- in embryology that eventually formed element of both Ian Wilmut's and view of the events leading to one of the scientificframework for the nuclear Keith Campbell's emotions during the prominent stories in biology to transplantation experiments which sleepless evenings as they painstak- end the 20th century, the cloning of produced Dolly. Kolata presents an ingly prepared for the birth of Dolly. the now famous sheep called Dolly. accuratesaga of the scientific method- Wilmut'sand Campbell'santiclimactic After breaking the announcement of ology and the people behind the work response to Dolly's arrival is empha- Dolly to the general public on the which ultimatelymade Dolly possible. sized by the fact that neither scientist cover page of The New York Times, One amusing theme incorporated was prepared to fully appreciate the Kolata was the first reporterto speak throughout Clone is Gina Kolata's implications of their work, and that, to Ian Wilmut, the embryologist from humorous and all too accuratedescrip- initially, cloning from differentiated the Roslin Institute in Scotland, who tion of the eccentricquirks of scientists, embryoniccells was treatedwith blind lead the research team that pro- the vagariousnature of graduatetrain- indifference by most scientists, ethic- duced Dolly. ing in science, and the rigors of estab- ists and reporters. Clone begins with a post-Dolly lishing one's position in a research Clone concludes with a chapter chapter. In the context of a right to discipline. titled, The Path Ahead, in which reproductive freedom, this chapter In addition to exploring landmark Kolata contemplates future possibilit- provides a glimpse of some concerns scientificevents in the field of embryol- ies for human cloning and cloning- and possible benefits of human cloning ogy, Clone also considers how fabri- related technologies.Gina Kolatapres- by comparing and contrasting ethical cated reportsof cloning served to raise ents her work in an interestingmanner issues associated with cloning to simi- doubts among the general public and that is both easily understood by the lar issues associated with assisted scientistsalike that cloning would ever casual reader of science and appreci- reproductivetechnologies. Gina Kolata be possible. Kolata cites examples of ated by the science professional.Clone sets the stage for the story of Dolly how the emergence of ethical move- is a very enjoyable and informative by quoting scientists, clergy, ethicists, ments of the 1970s, the advent of book that I recommend to anyone theologians and philosophers whose recombinant DNA technologies, the interested in developing an informed opinions are well summarized by her infamous Tuskegee study, and pop opinion on cloning. culture movies such as "The Boys From Brazil" and "The Island of Dr. Michael A. Palladino, Ph.D. Rita Hoots, Book Reviews Editor, is a Monmouth University professor at Yuba College and Moreau" have contributed to public West 07764 teaches classes in the biological skepticism of science and falsely, per- Long Branch, NJ sciences, human anatomy, and haps, alerted the public to possible chemistry. Her various degrees in the misuses of science. She suggests that sciences, counseling, and education how society responds to human clon- | INSECTS I come from the City University of ing may in fact reflect society's atti- of Wisconsin- New York, University tudes toward science, scientists, tech- Insects Through the Seasons. By Gil- Madison, California State University- bert Waldbauer. 1998. Harvard Uni- Sacramento, and the University of nology, and the general public's posi- tion of science in the world. Kolata versity Press (79 Garden St., Cam- California-Berkeley. Before entering bridge, MA 02138). 289 pp. Paper- the education Hoots was for poses the questions: "Do we see sci- field, back $14.95. many years a researcher in cell ultra- ence as a threat or a promise? Are structure and immunology. Her pre- scientistssages or villains?Have scien- In a sense the title of this book dominant passion in education is tists changed over the years from natu- qro~ is misleading as the author directed to the popularization and ral philosophers to technologists includes a wealth of other interesting illuminationof science for the public. focused on the next trick that can be species of animals and plants as they Her address is: Science Wood- Dept., In land Community College, 41605 Gib- played on nature?" relate to insects. addition he son Rd.,Woodland, CA 95776; e-mail: Chapters eight (The Road to Dolly) includes examples of many analogous [email protected]. and nine (Takenby Surprise)chronicle behaviors and structural adaptations Ian Wilmut'straining as a scientistand of other species in comparison with

550 THEAMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER, VOLUME 61, NO. 7, SEPTEMBER1999