ABSTRACT
This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part provides an opportunity to assess how much knowledge our societies actually have about the substance and consequences of biotechnology. It describes considerable insight about the biotechnology sector: the speed with which actors can acquire information, the eagerness of investors to profit from information about the health of a sizable population, and the gullibility of such investors. The part focuses on single-gene disorders, a number of scientists have made very strong claims in recent years about genes associated with a variety of diseases which are in fact polygenic in nature. It deals with a harsh indictment of large-scale actors who engage in efforts to alter nature in pursuit of corporate profits. The part attempts to minimize the incidence of these diseases by using genetic engineering practices. It demonstrates enormous information at our disposal about rapidly developing technologies.
