In the 21st century, the life sciences exert a considerable influence on the humanities and social sciences. People around the world pin their hopes on biology (which can help overcome the ecological crisis and produce new kinds of cheap food) and are concerned about possible risks associated with its developments (such as the possible creation of genetic mutants and cloned humans). Biological knowledge is being increasingly applied to issues related to ethics, linguistics, aesthetics, history, and politics. Biology is currently making a significant contribution to the development of new guidelines concerning the economic and cultural progress of humankind. This book concentrates on an important aspect of the biological mission in the present-day world--on its social and political implications. Taken together, they are referred to as biopolitics in this book.