His book, written with fellow Dolly project biologist Keith Campbell and science writer Colin Tudge, sets the record straight on the history and impetus behind cloning research, relates the scientific journey to the creation of Dolly and provides an insider's view of the cutting edge of biotechnology. But the core of the book is its final section, "The Age of Biological Control." Here Wilmut squarely confronts the dilemmas of an era in which, inevitably, we will achieve nearly total control over the creation and development of any and all biological organisms, including humans. While Celera Corp.'s Venter is right that we currently "don't know shit about biology," knowing all of it -- or close to all of it -- could happen within a few generations.

"Cloning and genetic engineering are conceptually linked," Wilmut explains, "because they are technically linked." The real purpose behind cloning, after all, was to allow for precise genetic alteration and duplication. The traditional path of a fertilized egg, Wilmut tells us, "is a hit-and-miss affair, offering only limited possibilities." "But when cells are cultured by the million, and laid out in a dish for months at a stretch," Wilmut says, "genetic engineers can work their full repertoire." What shall be done to these cells? Who shall decide?

In a chapter called "Cloning People," authored by Wilmut alone, the scientist looks at many of the perspectives found in the other books covered in this essay. He endorses Lewontin's argument for a more complex understanding of the interaction of genes, organisms and environments because "the genes operate in constant dialogue with their surroundings," which in turn affect how genes function. That's part of the reason even biological clones would still be different people.

In response to the libertarianism advocated by Ridley and deeply embedded in American culture, Wilmut suggests that when it comes to risk, we need to look beyond statistical calculations and ask, "Risk to whom?" and "Risk of what?" The manipulation of our genetics involves more than just one individual. Even basic genetic test results have implications for all the blood relatives of the person undergoing the test.

For this reason, Wilmut insists that market forces alone should not determine how genetic technologies get applied. "Worldwide, we may perceive a trend toward libertarianism," he observes, but "various societies in recent years have shown that they can resist new technologies of many kinds, whatever the market forces." He cites nuclear power, high-rises and genetically modified organisms as examples.

To his credit, Wilmut claims no greater authority for his positions than that of a well-informed citizen. These issues are human and moral and not merely scientific. Coauthor Tudge adds, in an individually penned epilogue, "How, in general, can we ensure that ... we don't stop scientists from following their noses -- but that on the other hand we are not encumbered with technologies that offend us, or lower our quality of life, or simply hand over life's controls to powerful companies?"

Wilmut, Campbell and Tudge don't pretend to have final answers. They urge that "if we are serious -- if we are not simply trying to score political points or to underplay what has been achieved so far -- then we should think in serious intervals of time." They suggest 200 to 500 years as the block of time during which the age of biological control will be realized. If they're right -- and unless we are satisfied with the alternatives offered by Ridley's libertarianism, Lewontin's interactive constructionism, Singer's consequentialism or Watson's naturalism -- then a book that helps us think in just those terms is the book that urgently needs to be written next.

Maya Angelou reads from "The Heart of a Woman"