...a mixture of poetry and rational reasoning that borders on brilliant......this remarkable, thought-provoking treatise serves as a chilling warning to what the children can expect in the future-a warning, perhaps, not only for the scientists' children but for us all. -Chanticleer Book ReviewsThis is a truly original work, and I can't think of anything I've read that resembles it. The authors jump from science to philosophy just as deftly as they move between poetry and prose...-Online Book ClubDear Sweet Children, If you're reading this, then we are both already deceased; our minds no longer exist and our bodies have been donated to science. We've left you parentless in the world. This letter is our attempt to explain why we worked so hard to develop the germline genetic engineering technology that enabled your conception.For too many generations, our ancestors have voluntarily relied upon birth control to limit the growth of their own population. They used technology to save lives and reduce suffering. In doing so they unwittingly allowed our genome to accumulate noise. The medical issues we live with as a consequence demonstrate that this is not a sustainable reproductive strategy.It's clear that your genetic engineering violated the ban and that we put ourselves in legal jeopardy by doing it anyway. What's not clear is how your contemporaries will view the use of this technology or how history will view us...Confessions from the Consortium of Rogue Gene Scientists: An Open Letter to Our Two Children was written by loving parents and addressed to their genetically engineered children. It is now being published pseudonymously-and posthumously. In it, the parents reveal their innermost thoughts to their children. They outline their understanding of themselves and their relationship to the broader world. They explain how their worldview led to their decision to develop and use genetic technology despite the prohibition. They argue, in effect, that a ban on human genetic engineering violates their religious freedom.Part love letter from parents to their children, part manifesto on the morality of gene editing, part exploration of our individual and collective responsibilities to the entire species, Confessions from the Consortium of Rogue Gene Scientists is a stirring look at the immense potential of the future of genetic research-if we are brave enough to take an unbiased look at ourselves and our biology. About the AuthorsCharles and Cassandra suffered from hemophilia A and cystic fibroses, respectively. Independently, and early in their formative years, they each devoted themselves and their careers to understanding the science behind their conditions. In the course of their graduate research they met, fell in love, and got married. Eventually they made the decision to have a family.Both highly respected scientists in their field, Charles and Cassandra were also founding members of the secretive organization they dubbed the Consortium of Rogue Gene Scientists. Through the underground collaboration of highly talented and dedicated scientists across the globe they were finally able to do for their children what they would have wanted for themselves. Unable to personally reap the benefits of their own work they both passed away in what could have been their prime. They loved each other and their children dearly.