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Are We Doing the Wrong Thing for the Right Reason?

Author Challenges Readers with Controversial  Bioethical Questions in New Novel

Grand Rapids, Mich., April 29, 2011 — Infertility strikes at the core of many marriages today, often creating enormous emotional trauma for women and men. The common wisdom is that curing infertility is a good thing, and is a justification for implementing radical new solutions to child bearing. But are these new technologies blurring the definition of what is morally sound?

Scientist and acclaimed techno-thriller author, Austin Boyd, takes a novel approach to the truth in his new book, Nobody’s Child (Zondervan, August 2011). “Bioethical issues are a huge part of our society’s future,” said Boyd. “Like a train barreling down the tracks with no conductor, we have rushed headlong into a bioethical Pandora’s box without considering the cultural and societal impacts of our actions.”

Through his novel, Nobody’s Child, Boyd seeks to capture the dilemma of genetic manipulation—highlighting both sides of the issue. Far from the typical scientific paper or industry-insider forum, Boyd opts for a more user-friendly format. Crafting a beautiful story about loves lost and found, Boyd masterfully spins a tale that simultaneously entertains and educates.  Researched in partnership with the Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity of Deerfield, IL, Boyd uses the innovative forum of fiction to entertain yet provoke his readers to consider the ramifications of one of this generation’s most controversial concerns:

• “Just because we can…should we?” Boyd frames the question we all need to ask about biotechnology. Just because we have the technical ability to do something in medicine, should that ability automatically connote an endorsement of new technologies or medical procedures? Just because we can “create” children in new ways, is it right to do so?
• “Who is my mother?” How would you react to learn that your mother chose you from an Internet ad and paid for the DNA that made you? Recent clinical research shows that “donor siblings” are more likely to experience emotional struggles, dysfunctional relationships, and even mental illness, than typically-conceived children.
• How should we view the burgeoning industry that promotes the sale of eggs from women who are “tall, attractive and physically fit?”  What are the ramifications of creating “designer babies?”
• Why does the industry call these women “donors” when they are paid thousands of dollars for participating in an egg harvest?
• A bottom line question might be: “Are we doing the wrong thing, for the right reason?”

Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling Bibles, books, audio, video, curriculum, software, and digital products through its Zondervan, eZondervan, Zonderkidz, Youth Specialties, Editorial Vida, and National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at www.zondervan.com (mobile site: zvan.mobi).

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News Articles

WAAY-TV covers the “massive H2O book signing” benefiting the United Way’s Youth Leadership Council

Austin Boyd and Brannon Hollingsworth, coauthors of the brilliant new release ‘H2O’ talk about their novel and upcoming book signing on December 6th. Austin’s first work of “speculative fiction” in the first person voice of a young woman generates lots of interest. Watch this interview to learn more. Click here (wait a moment to upload)

Christian fantasy ‘H2O’ plunges readers into message of spiritual cleansing

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Austin Boyd, one of Huntsville’s most acclaimed Christian novelists has teamed up with a colleague at Inergi, where Boyd is CEO, to create a sharp-edged plunge into a Christian fable of control, chaos, revelation, connection, authenticity and, finally, faith. Their “H2O: The Eternal Elements” has just been published by Living Ink Books. They will sign copies of the book Dec. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Jones Valley. Read the Full Article

‘H2O’ to release with a massive book signing event

Award-winning novelist Austin Boyd is launching his next novel with a massive book signing party.
On Friday, December 9th 7-9 PM, Austin Boyd will launch his next novel, H2O, with a massive book signing. Authors Austin Boyd and Brannon Hollingsworth have invited 40,000 people to come to the book signing at the Barnes and Noble in Huntsville’s Jones Valley from 7-9 PM on Friday, December 9th. Barnes and Noble designates a portion of all profits to support the Madison County Youth Leadership Council of the United Way. Read the Full Article

“Biotechnology is the new space” says suspense novelist Austin Boyd

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Austin Boyd describes his new release “Nobody’s Child” in an interview with Erin Darcy on the WAAY-TV Channel 31 Morning Show. Launching his new series “The Pandora Files” on the eve of the cancellation of NASA’s Space Shuttle program, Austin reminisces about his prior “Mars Hill Classified” book series that told the story of the end of the Shuttle. He shares new insights about “Nobody’s Child,” a bioethics suspense thriller, his newest novel for 2011. “Bioetechnology is the new space,” he says, “and I wrote this novel to help people wrestle with the faith dilemmas that run like a tangled web throughout that new technology.” Click to watch (60 seconds to upload)

Inergi preserves history, recycles items in its 80-plus-year-old home

The brick building on the west end of Governors Drive is so large that it’s easy to get lost in, examining item after item from Huntsville’s early years of manufacturing. Wandering through another dark and cavernous section on the ground floor of the building, Inergi CEO Austin Boyd says, “I call this the Pentagon of Huntsville.” This is a building with 252,000 square feet – the equivalent of a 5 1/2-acre facility. This is a building so large that it houses the original iron from the Statue of Liberty, renovated in 1986. Read the full article

Pictures of Inergi’s recycling work

Old photo of Martin Stove Company. Inergi Design involved with historic preservation of old Martin Stove Company building by recycling materials from the plant to pay for restoration.
View more pictures here

For Huntsville author Austin Boyd, Mars is as close as his imagination

“Austin Boyd wanted to go to Mars.

‘I was a Navy pilot, and my goal had always been to be an astronaut,’ the Huntsville author and Inergi CEO says.

His eyes were firmly on the prize of space. Then another prize reminded him of its value.” Read the full article

Huntsville-based Inergi wants to share its success (10th Anniversary celebration)

“HUNTSVILLE, AL — Not a lot of people can remember lines from the movie “Hook” starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman.

But then, Inergi CEO Austin Boyd isn’t like a lot of people.