Book Summary:
On June 26, 2000, scientists completed a draft of the human genome sequence. Readers will now be able to expand their understanding of this fascinating scientific subject with essays from the top scientist working in the field.On June 26, 2000, great fanfare accompanied the announcement that scientists had completed a draft of the human genome sequence. While the possibilities of this development are exciting, questions inevitably follow: What is the timetable for the annotation of this code? How will this information transform preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic medicine? Will this discovery help us to reconstruct the major steps in the evolution of life on earth? UNDERSTANDING THE GENOME, one of the first four titles in Scientific American's Pocket Science series, examines these questions and discusses the technological and medical repercussions that spring from the study of genes. The book-like the entire series-is targeted to intelligent readers who want to expand their understanding of complex scientific subjects and contains essays from top scientist working in the field, including Francis Collins, the director of the National Institute of Health's National Human Genome Research Institute, and William Haseltine, CEO of Human Genome Sciences.Like the magazine, the book encompasses a spectrum of innovation through expert-authored articles that demonstrate the convergence of science, technology, and the world economy, challenging readers with fresh, new ideas and empowering them to make smart, strategic decisions. |