Product Description

Reveals the connections between genetics and specific diseases

Understand the science and the ethics behind genetics

Want to know more about genetics? This non–intimidating guide gets you up to speed on all the fundamentals. From dominant and recessive inherited traits to the DNA double–helix, you get clear explanations in easy–to–understand terms. Plus, you′ll see how people are applying genetic science to fight disease, develop new products, solve crimes . . . and even clone cats.

Discover:

• What geneticists do
• How traits are passed on
• How genetic counseling works
• The basics of cloning
• The role of DNA in forensics
• The scoop on the Human Genome Project

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32682 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

From the Back Cover
Reveals the connections between genetics and specific diseases

Understand the science and the ethics behind genetics

Want to know more about genetics? This non–intimidating guide gets you up to speed on all the fundamentals. From dominant and recessive inherited traits to the DNA double–helix, you get clear explanations in easy–to–understand terms. Plus, you′ll see how people are applying genetic science to fight disease, develop new products, solve crimes . . . and even clone cats.

Discover

• What geneticists do
• How traits are passed on
• How genetic counseling works
• The basics of cloning
• The role of DNA in forensics
• The scoop on the Human Genome Project

About the Author
Tara Rodden Robinson, PhD, completed a postdoctoral fellowship in genetics at Auburn University and is currently an Assistant Professor (Research) in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University.

Customer Reviews

Very Comprehensive
This book is definitely not just for dummies. It goes into a lot of detail and is reasonably up-to-date. However having never studied this subject before I found it really hard work to read. The problem is it jumps across a wide range of topics and you are required to remember and be able to cross-link topics on different pages. A book with a logical top-down structure would be much easier to digest.

Fantastic
I was cruelly forced to take a genetics module as part of my stage one zoology degree, and to begin with found it completely impossible, not to mention unutterably boring. I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but I'm actually quite enjoying it now because of this book. All of the concepts are explained step by step, and so far I haven't come across anything I don't understand, even though more detail is given than I need to know. It's very reasonably priced too so it won't feel like a waste of money when I no longer need it (unlike the £40 book I was advised to buy and haven't yet opened!).

good overview of the subject
Although the book is written for 'dummies' it is a very good reference book for genetics students, even at degree level.One of the best genetics textbooks I have read to date. It has even given some of the £50+ textbooks I have read a run for their money.

The book is split into five main topic areas- Genetics the Basics, DNA:The Genetic Material, Genetics and your Health, Genetics and your World and also The Part of Ten (10 defining genetic events, 10 useful websites etc). Each of the main topic areas is sub divided into a total of 24 chapters.

The only con I believe exists in this book is that a lot of cross referencing is required, very often related topics are a number of chapters apart. However if you don't mind flicking back and fore this book is an invaluable source of information.