CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
My Brain in a Dish
CHAPTER 1
Pieces of Life
Cells past and present
CHAPTER 2
Body Building
Growing humans the old-fashioned way
FIRST INTERLUDE
The Human Superorganism
How cells became communities
CHAPTER 3
Immortal Flesh
How tissues were grown outside the body
SECOND INTERLUDE
Heroes and Villains
Cancer, immunity and our cellular ecosystem
CHAPTER 4
Twists of Fate
How to reprogramme a cell
CHAPTER 5
The Spare Parts Factory
Making tissues and organs from reprogrammed cells
CHAPTER 6
Flesh of My Flesh
Questioning the future of sex and reproduction
CHAPTER 7
Hideous Progeny?
The futures of growing humans
THIRD INTERLUDE
Philosophy of the Lonely Mind
Can a brain exist in a dish?
CHAPTER 8
Return of the Meatware
Coming to terms with our fleshy selves