[Sphinx]

Writers went to great lengths to justify relatively minor changes to the Infected in SR5; it seems unlikely to me that they would then completely ignore major changes to shapeshifters. For me, the biggest telltale is leaving out "Sapience" along with Allergy, Dual Natured, Regeneration, and Vulnerability. I doubt anyone is prepared to argue that shapeshifters are no longer sapient in SR5, and that quality was listed right alongside the others in SR4 (Shifter Powers, Runner's Companion, p.87).

[Sterling]

You forgot . . .

(Option C) The gamma variant and shifters have the same regenerative ability i.e. none.

Ha!

Not this time.  The stat block has a specific reference to regeneration.

I know there's some serious whining going on lower down the page, but I'm finding this book to be brilliant.

or(to add to Sterling's Idea)
You play a Shapeshifter mystic Adept  with the Spell Shapechange

Ouch.  Just trying to twist my head around creating that type of character just plain hurts!

[Hobbes]

Mechanically Shifters are in a tough place.  Priority gen is tough and Shifters pay a high price for limited mechanical benefits. 

As a GM, personally, I'd houserule Shifters if a player really wanted to play one.  I'd suggest tacking on Uncanny Healer for free as a start.

I'd also just clean some of the obvious stuff up.  The MAG column is Edge, the unlabeled column is an initiative bonus, Shifters have a Magic 1, max 6, and the 1 point is a "freebie" for Mages/Adepts to save an SAP.  Throw in a higher default on Unarmed and the Outdoors skill group (for most anyway). 

Just get them a little nudge.   

[Senko]

You forgot . . .

(Option C) The gamma variant and shifters have the same regenerative ability i.e. none.

Ha!

Not this time.  The stat block has a specific reference to regeneration.

I know there's some serious whining going on lower down the page, but I'm finding this book to be brilliant.

or(to add to Sterling's Idea)
You play a Shapeshifter mystic Adept  with the Spell Shapechange

Ouch.  Just trying to twist my head around creating that type of character just plain hurts!

Actually if it weren't for the loss of astral perception I'd be tempted to play that for my kitsune concept. Shifter for the base race, mystic adept for the adept power to physically change your body (race, Sex, appearance) and shapechange for different animals.