"In The Engineer in the Garden, Colin Tudge leads us through the intricacies of genetic theory - from its earliest classical form, to plant and animal breeding, to cloning and the Human Genome Project. He explains and questions the presumptions and ramifications of every scientific assertion about "advance," including sociobiology, genetic counseling, the creation of novel vaccines, and the possibility of prolonging human life. Cautious but not alarmist, Tudge argues that these scientific advances have far outpaced our thinking about them, and charges us to recognize that since science is part of the social order, scientific literacy is no longer a privilege of but a requirement for citizenship in the global community. Our response to these new technologies must necessarily involve our deepest thoughts about democratic principles, economic theory, and the meaning of life." "A lucid and engaging overview of what we have learned thus far, The Engineer in the Garden is also a passionate and provocative work of social criticism."--Jacket.