Genetics For Dummies
Genetics For Dummies
Introduction
Genetics affects every aspect of life on earth. As a science, it’s one of the
fastest growing fields because it has untold potential — for good and for
ill. Although complicated and diverse, all genetics comes down to basic principles
of heredity and how DNA is put together. So it turns out that genetics,
in many ways, is surprisingly accessible. Genetics is a bit like taking a peek
behind a movie’s special effects to find a deceptively simple and elegant
system running the whole show.
I may sound like a geek, but genetics is my favorite subject. If you’d told me
I’d end up feeling this way when I took my first genetics course, I would have
laughed. At first, I hated genetics (and I barely passed!). But as I learned more,
I was hooked. Now, my career follows the genetics of birds in hopes of helping
to conserve the natural beauty that makes our world such a wonderful place
to be. In the pages to come, I hope that I communicate my genuine enthusiasm
for this fascinating subject so that you, too, can appreciate the marvels
of this complex science.
About This Book
Genetics For Dummies is an overview of the entire field of genetics. My goal is
to explain each topic in such a way that anyone, even someone without any
genetics background at all, can follow the subject and understand how it
works. In an effort to make the book as current as possible, I’ve included
many examples from the frontiers of research. I’ve also made sure that the
book has detailed coverage of some of the hottest topics that you hear about
in the news: cloning, gene therapy, and forensics. Most genetics texts don’t
cover these subjects in depth, if at all. I’ve also addressed the practical side
of genetics: how it affects your health and the world around you. In short,
this book is designed to be a solid introduction to genetics basics as well as
to provide some details on the subject.
Genetics is a fast-paced field; new discoveries are published every week. You
can use this book to help you get through your genetics course, or you can
use it simply for self-guided study. Genetics For Dummies gives you enough
information to get a handle on the latest press coverage, understand the
genetics jargon that crime writers like to toss around, and translate information
imparted to you by medical professionals. I’ve filled the book with stories
of key discoveries and “wow†developments. I’ve tried to keep things light and
inject some humor when possible, but, at the same time, I’ve made an effort
to be sensitive to whatever your circumstances may be.
7.69
USD
InStock