Intelligent Person's Guide Genetics - Softcover

Woolfson, Adrian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0715634232 ISBN 13: 9780715634233

Publisher: Gerald Duckworth & Co Ltd, 2005

Synopsis

Adrian Woolfson explores the ethical minefield of genetics in the latest book in the popular INTELLIGENT PERSON'S GUIDE series. In a laboratory in America, a scientist Craig Ventor having successfully constructed a man-made virus, is now in the process of building the world's first artificial creature. His work is part of a revolutionary new type of 'synthetic' biology, which aims not just to understand how living things work, but to build them from scratch. Elsewhere molecular biologists have tapped into the DNA record to show that dodos were in fact a rare type of pigeon and the extinct quagga, a type of zebra. New research has also told us that although a distinct type of human, Neanderthal man was not our ancestor. Like eyewitness accounts of Victorian chimney sweeps, the DNA record is an imperfect time machine that can help reconstruct our past. It will also shape our future, as although designed 'naturally' by thousands of millions of years of evolution, mankind will soon be able to redesign itself. But how will such work be guided? What is needed is a manifesto for life, which acclaimed author Adrian Woolfson delivers in his examination of life and its future possibilities.

About this title

Product Description

Intelligent Person's Guide Genetics Adrian Woolfson explores the ethical minefield of genetics in the latest book in the popular INTELLIGENT PERSON'S GUIDE series. In a laboratory in America, a scientist Craig Ventor having successfully constructed a man-made virus, is now in the process of building the world's first artificial creature. His work is part of a revolutionary new type of 'synthetic' biology, which aims not just to unde... Full description

Review

...intelligently provocative' - New Scientist 'For "intelligent" read literate. Do not confuse this book with DNA for Dummies... Science made clear, not simple... Hugely enjoyable' - Tim Radford, Guardian 'Charming... as informative as it is readable. [Woolfson] has an ear for catchy descriptions that make science understandable and memorable... reading this book feels rather like having a conversation over dinner with a cultured, witty, and well-informed companion' - The Lancet

Edition details

• Publisher: Gerald Duckworth & Co Ltd
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0715634232
• ISBN 13: 9780715634233
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240