The Impact of the Gene: From Mendel's Peas to Designer Babies - Softcover
How genetics, and the technologies that arise from it, will affect the way we live in the twenty-first century
In the mid-nineteenth century, a Moravian friar made a discovery that was to shape not only the future of science but also that of the human race. With his deceptively simple experiments on peas in a monastery garden in Brno, Gregor Mendel was the first to establish the basic laws of heredity, laws from which the principles of modern genetics can be drawn. In this fascinating account, acclaimed science writer Colin Tudge traces the influence on science of Mendel's extraordinary ideas, from the 1850s to the present day, and goes on to ask what might happen in the coming century and beyond.
A comprehensive and entertaining work that combines scientific history with a compelling discussion on the future trends of genetic technologies, The Impact of the Gene examines how the ideas that underpin the spectrum of all genetic issues are interrelated, and proposes that with a basic understanding of Gregor Mendel's theories and discoveries, all modern genetics falls easily into place. From a monastery garden to the laboratories of the twenty-first century, The Impact of the Gene provides a vital overview of the science of genetics, at once "enjoyable and informative . . . readable and entertaining" (The New York Times Book Review).
In the mid-nineteenth century, a Moravian friar made a discovery that was to shape not only the future of science but also that of the human race. With his deceptively simple experiments on peas in a monastery garden in Brno, Gregor Mendel was the first to establish the basic laws of heredity, laws from which the principles of modern genetics can be drawn. In this fascinating account, acclaimed science writer Colin Tudge traces the influence on science of Mendel's extraordinary ideas, from the 1850s to the present day, and goes on to ask what might happen in the coming century and beyond.
A comprehensive and entertaining work that combines scientific history with a compelling discussion on the future trends of genetic technologies, The Impact of the Gene examines how the ideas that underpin the spectrum of all genetic issues are interrelated, and proposes that with a basic understanding of Gregor Mendel's theories and discoveries, all modern genetics falls easily into place. From a monastery garden to the laboratories of the twenty-first century, The Impact of the Gene provides a vital overview of the science of genetics, at once "enjoyable and informative . . . readable and entertaining" (The New York Times Book Review).
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About the Author:
Colin Tudge is the author of, most recently, The Variety of Life: A Survey and a Celebration of All the Creatures That Have Ever Lived and The Second Creation: Dolly and the Age of Biological Control, with Ian Wilmut and Keith Campbell. One of Britain's leading science writers, he is currently a Fellow of the Linnaean Society of London and a Research Fellow at the Centre for Philosophy at the London School of Economics. He lives in Oxfordshire.
Review:
"A concise history of genetics."—Robin Marantz Henig, Los Angeles Times Book Review
"Enjoyable and informative . . . readable and entertaining."—Anne Magurran, The New York Times Book Review
"Clear, well-considered and forceful."—William C. Summers, American Scientist
"A particularly interesting narrative on the development of genetics from Gregor Mendel's 19th-century pea experiments to the present. He devotes the first third of his book to Mendel and the foundations of genetics; the rest of the text covers all further scientific and technological developments in the field and their social context. One of the book's greatest strengths is that Tudge manages to weave the contributions of hundreds of scientists into a story that is coherent, logical, and readable. He also tackles the social implications of genetics (e.g., 'designer babies') and offers thoughtful and persuasive discussions of difficult topics such as evolutionary psychology . . . Highly recommended."—Marianne Stowell Bracke, University of Arizona, Library Journal
"Tudge's supple elucidation of the mechanics of genetics and his thorough explanation of the not-well-understood field of evolutionary psychology are invaluable; his linking of so-called pure science to social, moral, and emotional realities is invigorating, and his dedication to elevating the public's scientific literacy in the belief that such knowledge is essential to keeping science humane and responsible is admirable and inspiring."—Donna Seaman, Booklist
"Entertaining and instructive . . . A useful guide for anyone concerned with these issues."—Brian Charlesworth, Nature
"Challenging . . . Tudge makes a valuable contribution to a charged and often acrimonious debate."—Alex Banzle, Scotland on Sunday
"Fascinating . . . scientific fact and history alongside reflections on the impact of genetics on evolutionary theory, present society and future trends."—Dr. Chris Evans, chairman of Merlin Biosciences, in Management Today
"Enjoyable and informative . . . readable and entertaining."—Anne Magurran, The New York Times Book Review
"Clear, well-considered and forceful."—William C. Summers, American Scientist
"A particularly interesting narrative on the development of genetics from Gregor Mendel's 19th-century pea experiments to the present. He devotes the first third of his book to Mendel and the foundations of genetics; the rest of the text covers all further scientific and technological developments in the field and their social context. One of the book's greatest strengths is that Tudge manages to weave the contributions of hundreds of scientists into a story that is coherent, logical, and readable. He also tackles the social implications of genetics (e.g., 'designer babies') and offers thoughtful and persuasive discussions of difficult topics such as evolutionary psychology . . . Highly recommended."—Marianne Stowell Bracke, University of Arizona, Library Journal
"Tudge's supple elucidation of the mechanics of genetics and his thorough explanation of the not-well-understood field of evolutionary psychology are invaluable; his linking of so-called pure science to social, moral, and emotional realities is invigorating, and his dedication to elevating the public's scientific literacy in the belief that such knowledge is essential to keeping science humane and responsible is admirable and inspiring."—Donna Seaman, Booklist
"Entertaining and instructive . . . A useful guide for anyone concerned with these issues."—Brian Charlesworth, Nature
"Challenging . . . Tudge makes a valuable contribution to a charged and often acrimonious debate."—Alex Banzle, Scotland on Sunday
"Fascinating . . . scientific fact and history alongside reflections on the impact of genetics on evolutionary theory, present society and future trends."—Dr. Chris Evans, chairman of Merlin Biosciences, in Management Today
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- PublisherHill and Wang
- Publication date2002
- ISBN 10 0809057433
- ISBN 13 9780809057436
- BindingPaperback
- Edition number1
- Number of pages384
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The Impact Of The Gene From Mendel s Peas To Designer Babies
Published by
Hill And Wang Pub.
(2002)
ISBN 10: 0809057433
ISBN 13: 9780809057436
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. First Edition. Copyright Date: 2000 Octavo, , PP.375, Seller Inventory # 39289B15u
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