Cloning Frontiers of Genetic Engineering

Children's Literature

Dolly is a name that has become synonymous with the word "cloning" because of the media. Exactly what is cloning? How can this be explained accurately to a youngster? This controversial topic is examined in an easily read format. Jefferies makes an attempt to look at both sides of the genetic research debate objectively. The colorful book has numerous photos, illustrations and drawings that help to demystify cloning. In addition to the text, the book also contains a timeline and glossary, providing additional information about cloning. While the topic itself may be controversial, it is handled in a simplistic, matter of fact way. 1999, Crabtree, $20.60 and $8.95. Ages 9 to 13. Reviewer: Rita Karr

School Library Journal

Gr 5-7-Splashy introductions to burgeoning areas of modern technology. All three titles have bright, full-color photographs on nearly every page. Many captions and sidebars combine with single paragraphs of text to trace the development of these scientific wonders. "Time Track" sections highlight historical discoveries and the scientists who made them. Two-page glossaries define technical terms in full paragraphs. In each volume, several aspects of the main topic are touched upon with enough detail to give readers a basic understanding of the technology and its significance to human life. Artificial Intelligence shows the variety of robotic devices and advances in computer power in use today and those envisioned for the near future. Cloning traces the history of genetic discoveries and theories, including the basics of cellular reproduction and describes research in the genetic engineering of plants, animals, and humans. Cyberspace relates the history of telecommunications, the Internet, and the World Wide Web. Applications of virtual reality to medicine, entertainment, military training, and space exploration indicate its potential value as it continues to be refined. Minor errors do not mar the overall value of material presented. For example, Cyberspace defines optical fiber as "ultra-fine plastic tube" when most optical fibers used in communications are actually glass encased in plastic. David Freedman's Brainmakers (S & S, 1994; o.p.), Linda Tagliaferro's Genetic Engineering (Lerner, 1997), and Sean M. Grady's Virtual Reality (Facts On File, 1998) are less colorful, but provide greater depth of coverage.-Ann G. Brouse, Big Flats Branch Library, NY Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

From The Critics

This volume, from the Megatech series, covers a wide variety of topics, including genes, DNA, the work of Darwin and Mendel, plant and animal cloning (e.g., of Dolly the sheep), the Human Genome Project, mutations, controversies over cloning people, cloning for organ transplants, gene therapy, genetic farming and other subjects. The pictures, graphics, drawings, and other illustrations throughout the book—especially the exploded and colored microphotographs of genes, bacteria, cells, and ova—are superb and immediately engage the reader's interest in the text. A timetable at the end of the book serves as a careful and quite complete chronology from the 16th century (when the microscope was invented) to today and, via predictions, even beyond. A glossary at the end also is useful, but not complete. This book, as well as others in the series, reminds me of a visual dictionary: It has many pictures and few words. If the book has one deficiency, that is it; the sparse text makes the volume more like a coffeetable book than a serious book on science. The scientific information that is presented is accurate. Because it is not elaborate, however, the reader must have a good deal of previous information to understand some of the concepts that are set forth. This somewhat defeats the purpose of reading the book in the first place. The good news is that the book could be an excellent supplement to subjects already discussed in class or a companion to a textbook that deals with the subject matter. In either case, the volume can be a useful tool for presenting new subjects tangentially related to cloning. Overall, the material is well organized and presented clearly, and the bookcontains accurate information with excellent illustrations. If you need a companion volume to further pique the curiosity of those looking into the topic of cloning, this is it. (from the Megatech Series.) Acceptable, Grades 712. REVIEWER: Al Staropoli (Aspira Association) ISBN: 0778700488