"Science Times" Book of Genetics (The Best of the Science Times) - Hardcover

 
9781558217652: "Science Times" Book of Genetics (The Best of the Science Times)
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 1558217657 ISBN 13: 9781558217652
Publisher: Airlife Publishing Ltd, 1998

Synopsis

Essays by experts in the field explore the history, research, processes, and ethical concerns of genetic research, including the role of genes in cancer and treatment, life extension, and cloning

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Review

Still going through what editor Nicholas Wade calls its "gestational stage," the nascent field of genetics has introduced scientific complexities--and ethical quandaries--that we've only just begun to comprehend. Former New York Times editor and reporter for that paper's acclaimed Science Times section, the ever-articulate Wade has assembled over 40 articles (including many written by him) tackling the forefront of this young, ambitious field. With the promise of curing cancer, cloning entire organisms, extending life and perhaps even changing the course of human evolution itself, it's no surprise that genetics has grabbed more than its share of headlines: "Big Picture of Cancer Process Is Being Seen for the First Time," "Can Life Span Be Extended? Biologists Offer Some Hope," "Making an Embryo: Biologists Find Keys to Body Plan."

Along with these attention-grabbers, Wade includes numerous articles that just flesh out the background of the field or that explore the significance of particular genes--"To People the World, Start with Five Hundred" explains how mitochondrial DNA has been used to trace humanity to a surprisingly small ancestral pool, while "Modern 'Wolfmen' May Have Inherited Ancient Gene" shows how atavistic traits can get you a job in a freak show. Rigorous enough for the scientist but not too esoteric for the layperson, this collection provides an approachable, informative primer on the field. --Paul Hughes

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Airlife Publishing Ltd
Publication date
1998
Language
English
ISBN 10 
1558217657
ISBN 13 
9781558217652
Binding
Hardcover
Edition number
1
Number of pages
288
Editor
Wade Nicholas