DNA: Promise and Peril

The genetic revolution has provided incredibly valuable information about our DNA, information that can be used to benefit and inform—but also to judge, discriminate, and abuse. An essential reference for living in today's world, this book gives the background information critical to understanding how genetics is now affecting our everyday lives. Written in clear, lively language, it gives a comprehensive view of exciting recent discoveries and explores the ethical, legal, and social issues that have arisen with each new development.

"The discussions of genetic determinism, prenatal genetic testing, eugenics, and gender identity are particularly informative, stimulating, clearly spelled out, and comprehensible to lay readers as well as professionals."—Solomon A. Kaplan, MD, Professor Emeritus, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA

"If you read one book about the human genome, this is it! An extraordinary thoughtful, readable and myth-busting contribution to understanding our future. I loved it!"—Donna E. Shalala, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services

Linda L. McCabe is Adjunct Associate Professor of Human Genetics and Pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles. Edward R. B. McCabe is Co-Director, UCLA Center for Society and Genetics; Mattel Executive Endowed Chair of Pediatrics; Physician-in-Chief, Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA; and Professor of Pediatrics and Human Genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Bioengineering at the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at UCLA. Together they wrote How to Succeed in Academics. Edward R.B. McCabe is coeditor, with Thomas P. Burris, of Nuclear Receptors and Genetic Disease (2001).