between Daedalus and Icarus / Yaron Ezrahi -- Haldane's Daedalus / Ernst Mayr -- The parallel lives of H.J. Muller and J.B.S. Haldane : geneticists, eugenists, and futurists / Elof Axel Carlson -- Daedalus, Haldane, and medical science / D.J. Weatherall -- Genetics and the future of immunity / N.A. Mitchison -- Postscript / Krishna R. Dronamraju.

This book includes a reprint of a great classic, Daedalus or Science and the Future by J.B.S. Haldane, which caused an instant sensation when it first appeared in 1923 because of its predictions of future scientific developments including 'test-tube' babies. Several eminent scientists, including two Nobel Laureates, comment on its significance today. Of special interest are discussions on the complex relationship between technology and society by Joshua Lederberg, the contribution of Haldane to enzyme kinetics by Max Perutz, the relevance of Daedalus today by Freeman Dyson and Ernst Mayr, the eugenic views of H.J. Muller and J.B.S. Haldane by Elof Axel Carlson, the influence of Daedalus on the development of human genetics and biomedical ethics by David Weatherall, the future of immunity by N. Avrion Mitchison, and the place of Daedalus in the context of J.B.S. Haldane's life and work by Krishna Dronamraju. It will interest all biologists and social scientists, and anyone interested in the complex relationship between science, technology, and society. It is unique for its examination of the impact of predictions on the future developments of science and technology and its impact on our ethical outlook.