Geography, Sophie Cunningham. Text, 2004.
isbn 1 920 88503 x, rrp $25
Geography is an assured and engaging first novel—charting the misadventures of a young Australian journalist attempting to navigate her way through the 90s.
Catherine traces her journey with reference to the various men in her life and the headlines of the day. Returning to India at the beginning of a new century, she appreciates how lost she has become. The concluding pages find Catherine in female company turning away from the BBC coverage of the Twin Towers in flames.
The writing is as evocative in its descriptions of foreign cities and people as it is unblinking in its portrayal of sexual obsession. Seasoned with literary allusions, popular culture and real-life news events, it is at times poignant, delicate, and raw. Geography is a contemporary fable; complete with a moral gleaned from hard-won experience. It is unclear whether this experience is that of the character or her creator. Certain personal events appear to have been included (unnecessarily) on the basis of historical accuracy alone. And the voice urging us to heed the lessons of bitter experience sounds more like a direct appeal from the author than the character of Catherine advising her companion. Despite these distractions, Geography is a lively tale likely to strike a chord with travellers in general and young women in particular.
Steve Gome
Stem Cells: Science, Medicine, Law and Ethics
Norman M. Ford & Michael Herbert. St Pauls Publications, 2003.
isbn 1 876 29574 0, rrp $19.95
‘Ethical issues in stem-cell biotechnology loom large in people’s minds as well as in the public domain.’
From the outset of this book, Ford shows the weight that ethical questions of biotechnology continue to hold in public discussion. It is in the need for accurate and up-to-date information amid widespread media coverage that this work finds its genesis.
This book covers the four main areas of stem-cell research including the derivation of stem cells from adult tissue and bone marrow; stem cells derived from the discarded umbilical cords of newborns; foetal stem cells derived from either aborted or stillborn foetuses, and embryonic stem cells derived from the destruction and extraction of stem cells from excess frozen human embryos which remain from IVF programs. Herbert provides a well-documented examination of current international research and procedures as well as providing objective observations concerning the medical potential and shortcomings of biotechnology.
Following the scientific survey is an outline