The Engineer in the Garden: Genes and Genetics : From the Idea of Heredity to the Creation of Life - Hardcover

Tudge, Colin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0809042592 ISBN 13: 9780809042593

Publisher: Hill & Wang Pub, 1995

Synopsis

Arguing that the everyday human intellect has been outpaced by scientific advances, a study of genetics and its potential impact on society explains what we have achieved while noting the ramifications of expanding on such technology.

About this title

About the Author:

Science writer Colin Tudge was born on 22 April 1943 in London, and was educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge. He worked as a journalist and was features editor for New Scientist magazine between 1980 and 1984, before joining the BBC where he worked on science programmes for BBC Radio, presenting the regular programme 'Spectrum'. He is a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines including The Independent, The Times, Natural History and the New Statesman. He is a former member of the Council of The Zoological Society of London and since 1995 has been a visiting Research Fellow of the Centre for Philosophy at the London School of Economics. Two of his books have been shortlisted for the COPUS/Rhone Poulence Science Book of the Year: Last Animals at the Zoo (1991) and The Engineer in the Garden (1993). The Day Before Yesterday (1995) won the B.P. Conservation Book of the Year Award. His latest book is The Secret Life of Trees (2005).

From Library Journal:

While a number of recent books have dealt with genetics, relatively few deliver a good balance between overall breadth of coverage and the intelligent, readable synthesis of the myriad issues introduced as a result of breaking genetics research. British science writer Tudge accomplishes this daunting task admirably. Beginning with a historical survey of the field, he continues with discussions of the principles of genetic replication and natural selection, then examines how those processes can be manipulated and what it all means to individuals and society. Stylistically, Tudge writes in a practical, disarming prose that is a refreshing contrast to the turgid voice favored by both alarmists and enthusiasts. The final chapter offers as good a summary of the ethical and public policy challenges raised by genetics research as can be found anywhere. Fine as an alternative or complement to Robert Shapiro's The Human Blueprint (LJ 9/1/91) in any core collection of popular works on genetics.
Gregg Sapp, Univ. of Miami Lib., Coral Gables
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hill & Wang Pub
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0809042592
• ISBN 13: 9780809042593
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 388