BKMT READING GUIDES
Forever and Ever
by Dan A. Baker
Hardcover : 308 pages
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Introduction
FOREVER and EVER is the first fiction title on the topic of gene-based aging reversal and engineered human immortality. Developed over a four-year period with eminent molecular biologists and bioinformatics experts in the SF Bay Area, FOREVER and EVER is a fascinating journey through the unprecedented social dilemmas, intense international power struggles, and bizarre possibilities of unlimited life in a youthful state. “The pieces are all there. The pieces are all there.” Jasmine looked out at the horizon on San Francisco Bay again, wondering how many other people were thinking the same thing. “We could do this. We could live forever. Regress in body age and live forever, as young people. The pieces are all there. The pieces are all there.” Forever and Ever is the deeply personal story of Jasmine and Earl Metcalf, highly principled scientists at a Bay Area drug discovery company. When their research in genetic disease therapy is banned by a political response to the first human cloning, they bolt the constraints of the corporate biotech world in a desperate attempt to treat Roy, a child dying of old age. Dying from one of evolution’s most bizarre mistakes. Progeria. The revolutionary gene-based therapy they are developing will reverse normal human aging and provide immortality in a youthful state. They struggle with the unprecedented ethical dilemmas and conclude that the desire for life is unconquerable, and the quest for new knowledge irresistible. Interest in their work is intense. The brilliant gambits of powerful interests intent on capturing the treatment and ending further development involve them in a bizarre and murderous struggle. The long postulated “gene wars” has suddenly arrived, and the effort to control the age of biology has begun...
Excerpt
PROLOGUEThe distant roar of the surf on Linda Mar beach ducted into the steep little valleys of Pacifica and blended with the wind off the ocean to create a natural lullaby. Jasmine Metcalf listened closely to the sound because it quieted the insidious chatter in her mind. She lay peacefully in a near sleep, grateful to be relieved of the endless fears and overwhelming forces that swirled around her. ...
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Discussion Questions
From the Author:1. Is the story based on current science or is it science fiction?
2. Could gene-based human immortality actually happen? When?
3. What would happen to society if human life spans were dramatically increased?
4. Does a biotech underground exist?
5. How would your thinking change if you knew you would virtually live forever and someday be the same body age as your children?
Notes From the Author to the Bookclub
A Note from Dan Baker to BookMovement readers: The central idea of the book is the sudden arrival of gene-based aging reversal and engineered human immortality. The book is based on science and technology that either exists or has been proposed, and forwards a scenario where brilliant American scientists team up with wealthy visionaries to dramatically shorten anti-aging development time. The story suddenly expands to illuminate the fascinating possibilities of human genomic engineering, including designing human intellects. I was first introduced to the fascinating possibilities of gene-based aging reversal in 2000 on the Discovery Channel. The BBC documentary LIVING FOREVER aired for the first time, and presented an anthology of the scientific work in the area of human aging. The film introduced several startling discoveries in cellular aging reversal, regenerative medicine, proteomics, etc. I was attracted to the constellation of personal and moral dilemmas human immortality would present to people. Would you want to live forever? Would you want to be young again? Would it be fair to the next generations? What would happen to social structures and human culture? Who would be treated and how would you control this technology? What would it look and feel like? Would you become reckless and impetuous again? Would you become even more cautious and conservative? Could the human mind stand centuries of reality? During the research phase I discovered even more incredible implications of human genomic engineering. Francis Fukuyama predicted in his landmark book OUR POST HUMAN FUTURE that when unlimited genomic engineering and designer children arrived, a "gene wars" scenario would be quite possible. If you were going to design children, what would you select for? What traits and characteristics would you want? This lead me to the fields of behavioral genetics and evolutionary psychology. "How far did you go?" Jasmine asked. "We designed a mind." Will replies. Wild, wild stuff for a novelist. I want the readers to take away a series of completely new and unprecedented questions about the near future of the human race. What if? What if comprehensive genomic engineering arrives? What would I do? Would I want to live forever? Dan A. BakerBook Club Recommendations
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