Overview
Authoritative and accessible, DNA Technology: A Reference Handbook discusses the scientific developments that have contributed to our current understanding of DNA and the wide application of such technology in numerous fields.
DNA Technology explores early scientists whose work laid the foundation for Watson and Crick's groundbreaking paper, as well as subsequent researchers who have furthered our knowledge of DNA. Readers will see how DNA technology is used to catch criminals, exonerate prisoners, identify disorders, produce more effective drugs, and enhance food production. Beyond explaining the science, the book also addresses the ethical, legal, economic, and social concerns that have been raised over the power to alter life, and gives readers context and background to think through these issues for themselves.
Synopsis
A concise, authoritative source that explores the latest advances and potential uses of DNA, as well as the ethical dilemmas surrounding the altering of genetic material.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"The text is clear and concise, a trademark of the publisher's Contemporary World Issues series. Users will find this to be an excellent one-volume reference for this critical discipline."
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ARBAonline
"For high school and college students, scholars, and general readers, this volume describes the applications of DNA technology in forensic science, the development of organisms with genetic characteristics of two different species, genetic testing, gene therapy, molecular farming, and cloning. After a historical overview of the development of these technologies, the book explains social, ethical, political, and other issues resulting from them, and international aspects of debates over DNA technology, with a chronology, brief biological sketches of important individuals, related documents, and resources. The bibliography is annotated."
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SciTech Book News
"This excellent beginning source for information on the major areas of DNA technology should be useful to any library. Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-level undergraduates, two-year technical program students, and general readers."
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Choice
"DNA Technology: A Reference Handbook joins others in the 'Contemporary World Issues' series for college-level readers, and provides an excellent survey of politics, science, social issues, and more. Its coverage surveys the birth of genetics, the road to DNA, gene therapy's promise, forensic science's evolution and development, and many other DNA technology developments, making this key not just for science collections, but for social issues libraries as well."
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Midwest Book Review