From biotechnology to genomes : the meaning of the double helix / Philippe Goujon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Goujon, Ph. (Philippe)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Gene mapping.

Human gene mapping.

Human genetics.

Physical Description:

xxiv, 782 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Singapore ; River Edge, NJ : World Scientific Publishing Co., [2001]

Summary:

Goujon (U. Catholique de Lille, France) examines the social, political, economic, and scientific aspects of the history of the mapping of the yeast genome. After examining the origins of biotechnology and its political and economic interpretations, he explains the development of the techniques of gene sequencing and discusses the completion of the first genetic maps. Analysis of the establishment of the American Human Genome Project and the European biotechnology strategy is followed by a detailed analysis of the main stages of technical, administrative, political, and scientific steps leading to the yeast genome project. Finally, Goujon discusses some of the ethical, social, and political problems linked with the rise of biotechnologies. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR.

Contents:

Introduction: The Essence of Life and the Labyrinth of the Genome xiii

1 The Invention of Biotechnology 1

1.1 The Origins of Biotechnology 5

1.2 The Emergence of a New Concept of Life 11

1.3 From Zymotechnology to Biotechnology 13

1.4 The Engineering of Nature - Towards the Best of all Possible Worlds 21

1.5 Technique, Biology and the Development of Biotechnics 23

1.6 The Recognition of Biotechnology by the Institutions 43

2 Political Interpretations of Biotechnology and the Birth of the First Research Programs 62

2.1 The Example of the United States 64

2.2 Biotechnology in Japan: Economic Success and Ecological Failure 73

2.3 Germany and the Political Aspect of Biotechnology 78

2.4 The British Development of Biotechnology: Delayed Political Reaction 84

2.5 The French Reaction 90

2.6 The European Community and Biotechnology

The Emergence of the First European Biotechnology Programs 92

3 The Foundations of the Heralded Revolution 116

3.1 From the Frontiers of Genetics to the Birth of Molecular Biology 116

3.2 The Secret of Life: DNA 126

3.3 The First Sequencing of a Protein: Insulin 135

3.4 Techniques of DNA Sequencing 139

3.5 Gene Money, or the Miracles Expected of Biotechnology 161

3.6 The Japanese Threat and the Human Frontier Science Program 174

4 Attack on the Genomes: The First Genetic and Physical Maps 182

4.1 The Problem of Gene Localization 182

4.2 Polymorphic Markers, Gene Mapping and the Great Gene Hunt 185

4.3 Towards a Complete Linkage Map 194

4.4 Physical Genome Mapping: The Reconstruction of a Complicated Puzzle 202

4.5 The First Physical Maps of Large Genomes 205

4.6 Towards a Physical Map of the Human Genome 215

5 The Human Genome Project and the International Sequencing Programs 217

5.1 The Ultimate Challenge: The Human Genome Project 218

5.2 The Department of Energy Initiative 230

5.3 The NIH Genome Project 245

5.4 HUGO, or the Difficulties of International Coordination 252

5.5 The Importance of Model Organisms 267

5.6 The International Dimensions of Genome Research: The First Stirrings in other Countries 273

6 European Biotechnology Strategy and Sequencing the Yeast Genome 327

6.1 Towards a New European Research Policy for Biotechnology 328

6.2 The 1980s: An Implementation of the 1983 Strategy? 341

6.3 BAP's First Year 353

6.4 The Revision of the BAP Program 359

6.5 The Origins and Nature of the Yeast Genome Sequencing Project 369

6.6 Critical Discussions and the Adoption of the Yeast Genome Sequencing Project 382

7 The Decryption of Life 421

7.1 The Structure and Organization of the European Yeast Genome Sequencing Network 421

7.2 A World First

The Sequence for a Whole Eucaryote Chromosome: Chromosome III of the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae 434

7.3 The Complete Sequence of the Genome and the Intensification of European Efforts 451

7.4 After the Sequence

The Challenge of Functional Analysis 487

7.5 Sequences, Sequences and More Sequences 511

7.6 From Science to Economics 606

8 Conclusion: The Dreams of Reason or the New Biology's Dangerous Liaisons 643

8.1 Fascination but Anxiety Concerning Progress in the Life Sciences 643

8.2 Reductionism vis-a-vis the Complexity of Life 648

8.3 From Science to Ideology

The Dangers of "The Genetic All" 658

8.4 The Health Excuse

A New Utopia? 666

8.5 Behind Gene Therapy

The Dangerous Liaisons of the New Biology 676

8.6 Convenient Reductionism 683

8.7 The Reasons Behind an Ideology 684

Epilogue: Dreams or Nightmares? Man Reasoned out by His Genes 690.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9810243286

OCLC:

49051474