This is a study of the aims and applications of biotechnology in general and genetic engineering in particular. Providing a warning of the current and potential damaging implications for the natural world, including human health, the book argues that biotechnology, and the science that informs it, is not about the pursuit of truth, but a conscious attempt to insert the value of efficiency into the biosphere's genetic code. The book also describes the opposition to biotechnology that is building up, especially in the USA, and analyzes how, even in the world of science, new paradigms are beginning to emerge to challenge its underlying assumptions.

Overcoming Illusions About Biotechnology

Business & Money

PERLAS, NICANOR

International

Zed Books

Proponents of the new biotechnologies claim how wonderful their benefits will be to agriculture and human health. But scientists and citizen groups are also increasingly concerned about the potential costs and adverse effects of these biotechnologies, especially genetic engineering. This book, by a Filipino scientist and a major practitioner of sustainable agriculture, begins with a general critique of the new agriculture biotechnologies. it then examines in detail the environmental, social, political, and ethical impacts of the new biotechnologies. It concludes with proposals to control the biotechnology revolution and for sustainable agriculture alternatives that need not depend on genetic engineering. This book is a timely contribution to one of the most critical controversies of our times, advocating for greater public awareness and adequate social control over a new technology that claims to be near-miraculous but may prove to be disastrous.

Overcoming Illusions About Biotechnology: The Implications of Genetic Engineering for Agriculture

Although still in its earliest stages, artificial intelligence (AI) is radically transforming all aspects of society. With the immanent emergence of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) and the illusory temptations of “transhumanism,” humankind stands at a crossroads. Nicanor Perlas makes an urgent plea in this book. It is imperative, he says, that we take immediate steps to ensure that digitized technology is aligned to human values and priorities. Otherwise, ASI will kill the essence of our humanity. Furthermore, if we do not master it now, ASI will transform humanity into its own image―ultimately, it will destroy the human race. 
AI experts have not offered a single cogent solution to this existential threat. Rudolf Steiner, however, not only foresaw these developments, but also provided clear alternatives. Steiner―who developed a contemporary scientific approach to spirituality―provided philosophical, ontological, and social innovations to save humanity from this technological abyss. It is the task of the global anthroposophic movement to pioneer this civilization-saving work―to establish spiritual-scientific ideas in mainstream culture that would allow AI to emerge in a healthier societal context.
Perlas offers an overview of the AI phenomenon, together with its related transhuman concepts of “perfecting humanity,” outlining the critical internal and external responses needed to meet them consciously. In particular, the author addresses the movement connected to the work of Rudolf Steiner, indicating its all-important tasks to cooperate with progressive individuals and movements, including scientists and civil society activists; to mobilize its “daughter” movements for action; and, ultimately, to cooperate with the spiritual powers that have guided and served humanity since the dawn of time. This, says Perlas, is humanity’s last stand. Failure is not an option.

Humanity's Last Stand: The Challenge of Artificial Intelligence: A Spiritual-Scientific Response

Religion & Spirituality

Temple Lodge Publishing

Civil Society has become a major power in the world. The stunning defeat of the controversial and secretive Multilateral Agreement on Investments, the massive worldwide WTO protests and the yearly meetings of the World Social Forum are testimony to its coming of age. From these significant victories, civil society continued to catch world attention with the Arab Spring, the grassroots movement that helped elect former President Barack Obama and the significant gains of the anti-fracking campaign. With tens of millions of citizens and over a trillion dollars involved in advancing its agenda, civil societynow joins the stateand the marketas the third key institution shaping globalization. However, it cannot fully mobilize its resources and power as it currently lacks clear understanding of its identity. 
Shaping Globalization asserts that global civil society is a cultural institution wielding cultural power, and shows how―through the use of this distinct power―it can advance its agenda in the political and economic realms of society without compromising its identity. Nicanor Perlas outlines the strategic implications for civil society, both locally and globally, and explains that civil society’s key task is to inaugurate “threefolding”: the forging of strategic partnerships between civil society, government, and business. Such authentic tri-sector partnerships are essential for advancing new ways for nations to develop, and for charting a different, sustainable type of globalization. Using the model of the Philippine Agenda 21, we are shown how civil society and progressive individuals and agencies in government and business are demonstrating the effectiveness of this new understanding to ensure that globalization benefits the environment, the poor and society as a whole. 
This edition includes a new afterword.

Shaping Globalization: Civil Society, Cultural Power, and Threefolding

Die Globalisierung gestalten.

Computers & Technology

Hardware & DIY

Info 3 Verlag

LA ULTIMA BATALLA DE LA HUMANIDAD: UNA RESPUESTA CIENTIFICO-ESPIRITUAL AL DESAFIO DE LA INTELIGENCIA ARTIFICIAL

Editorial Rudolf Steiner S.L.

Civil Society has become a major power in the world. The stunning defeat of the controversial and secretive Multilateral Agreement on Investments, the massive worldwide WTO protests, and the yearly meetings of the World Social Forum are testimony to its coming of age. With tens of millions of citizens and more than a trillion dollars involved in advancing its agenda, civil society now joins the State and the Market as the third key institution shaping globalization. However, it cannot fully mobilize its resources and power because it lacks clear understanding of its identity.
Shaping Globalization argues that global civil society is a cultural institution wielding cultural power, and shows how, through the use of this distinct power, it can advance its agenda in the political and economic realms of society without compromising its identity. The book then outlines the strategic implications for civil society both locally and globally, and explains that its key task is to inaugurate "threefolding:" the forging, where appropriate, of strategic partnerships between civil society, government, and business. Such authentic tri-sector partnerships are essential for advancing new ways for nations to develop, and for charting a different, sustainable kind of globalization. Using the model of The Philippine Agenda 21, the book shows how civil society and pro-gressive individuals and agencies in government and business are demonstrating the effectiveness of this new understanding to ensure that globalization benefits the poor, societies, and nature.
"Nicanor Perlas is one of the profound thinkers of our time. Shaping Globalization is a must-read for all who work for a positive future."-David C. Korten, author, The Post Corporate World
Nicanor Perlas is President of the Philippines Center for Alternative Development Initiatives (CADI). An international award-winner for his advocacy work on globalization and sustainable development, he has authored seven books and numerous articles, and frequently speaks at international conferences.

Shaping Globalization: Civil Society, Cultural Power and Threefolding

Economics

New Society Publishers

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by PERLAS, NICANOR. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by PERLAS, NICANOR