To The Best of Our Knowledge from Wisconsin Public Radio

Everywhere you turn at this time of year there are babies: Babies wrapped in swaddling cloths, babies lying in mangers, baby-faced cherubs, and baby angels. All to be expected of a holiday that celebrates the birth of a child. But then, birth is a pretty miraculous thing. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, birth stories. From the history of Jesus to the science of pregnancy, to the creation of artificial life.

Feminist Naomi Wolf takes on the birthing industry in her book, "Misconceptions." She tells Anne Strainchamps that common obstetrical practices make things easier for the hospital, not the mother and baby, and she explains why many post-feminist women are shocked by the demands of early motherhood.

Steve Grand is the co-founder of Cyberlife Technology and the creator of the game "Creatures." And he's the author of "Creation: Life and How to Make It." He tells Jim Fleming about Norns – virtual pets that live and breed in desktop computers. He says the Norns give us a way to explore questions about what it means to be alive and what rights and responsibilities "living" creatures have. Also, Doug Gordon introduces us to Doctor Victor Raskolnikov and the Clonettes.

David Bainbridge studies the science of pregnancy. His book is "Making Babies." Bainbridge tells Steve Paulson that as soon as a woman becomes pregnant, the baby begins to dominate her biology, causing significant changes in her immune system. Also, Jack Miles, author of "Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God," tells Steve Paulson that he views the Bible from the perspective of literary critic. He says maybe God became incarnate to repent for having thrown Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, and that Christ initiated the Eucharist as a way for his followers to regain their immortality.

Books:

• David Bainbridge, Making Babies: The Science of Pregnancy (Harvard)
• Steve Grand, Creation: Life and How to Make It (Harvard)
• Jack Miles, Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God (Knopf)
• Naomi Wolf, Misconceptions (Doubleday)

Music:

• 1. "Precious Child," Craig Bickhardt -- on the CD "Precious Child --the Story of Christmas" (Warner Bros. Records 1992)
• 2. "The Day the Earth Stood Still," Bernard Hermann -- on the CD "Journey to the Stars" (Phillips)
• 3. "On Children," Sweet Honey and the Rock -- on the CD "Sweet Honey and the Rock, Selections 1976-1988" (Flying Fish Records)
• 4. Brahms Lullaby
• 5. "Melancholy Baby," Maria Muldaur, on the CD "A Child's Celebration of Lullaby." (Music for Little People)
• 6. Handel, Hallelujah Chorus -- The English Concert and Choir, Trevor Pinnock (Archiv)

Distribution dates:

• week of 12/23/2001 - hour 2