Protocells are tiny, self-organizing, evolving entities that spontaneously assemble
and continuously regenerate themselves from simple organic and inorganic substrates
in their environment. A number of scientifi c teams around the world are
racing to create protocells, and success is expected within a few years.
Protocells will raise a number of social and ethical issues, involving benefi ts to
individuals and to society, risks to human health and the environment, and transgressions
of cultural and moral prohibitions. This volume contains the thoughts of
a diverse group of experts who explore the prospect of protocells from a variety of
perspectives. These perspectives include applied ethics in analytical philosophy,
continental philosophy, and anthropology as well as political and social commentary.
The book raises broad questions for a broad audience, without necessarily
drawing fi nal conclusions.