Transhumanists argue that another scientific quantum leap has transported us from the human to the transhuman era ? a time when humankind itself is being manipulated and enhanced, leading to an unknown future where man, machine and technology will merge with startling results.

The author speculates that the recent decision to sell genetically modified fish that glow in the dark will open the floodgates to more "cosmetic" genetic modifications, possibly even for humans.

Bioethicists and scientists contemplating the future fear that genetic engineering and other technologies are going to divide human beings into genetic classes that may one day try to destroy one another.

Sally Deneen examines the ethical and environmental implications of human germ line engineering, including the potential risks of creating "designer babies."

The authors argue that the human germline is part of the "global commons" and should be internationally protected by using the precautionary principle to restrain research.

The author surveys the efforts of governmental advisory boards to come up with a strategy for dealing with the implications of the genetic revolution and concludes by calling for more resources to be devoted to public education and involvement.

The author briefly details the risks from human cloning and germ line engineering and concludes with a call for "a new social movement-committed to affirming the integrity of the human species and opposing the new techno-eugenics and the post-human ideology."

Richard Hayes warns that scientists "are fast approaching the most consequential technological threshold in all of human history: the ability to directly manipulate the genes we pass on to our children."

Advances in genetic engineering will soon enable the widespread use of germ-line engineering to cure fatal diseases or even to create designer babies that will be stronger, smarter, or more resistant to infections. The author surveys the implications and risks of this development.

George J. Annas makes a moral and scientific case against human cloning and advocates for international adoption of the "precautionary principle" for all cloning research.